Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

NCC to sanction Elon Musk’s Starlink for unauthorised price hike

POSTED ON October 8, 2024 •   Technology      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Elon Musk, Starlink

The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced plans to take enforcement measures against Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, for raising its subscription prices in Nigeria without the regulator’s approval.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, on Tuesday.

In a communication to its subscribers last week, Starlink announced a significant increase in its monthly subscription fee, rising by 97% from N38,000 to N75,000. This price hike applies to both existing and new customers.

Additionally, new users will face a higher cost for the Starlink kit (the hardware needed for installation), which is now priced at N590,000, up by 34% from the previous price of N440,000.

However, the NCC stated that it had not approved the price increase.

“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka said

He explained that the commission was “surprised” when the company announced the price changes, despite having filed a request with the NCC for a price adjustment, which the regulator had yet to approve.

He added, “The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.

“The commission will, therefore, take appropriate enforcement measures against any action by a licensee that is capable of eroding the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry.”

Section 108 of the NCA 2003 gives the NCC authority to regulate telecom tariffs, stating that no licensee can impose charges for services without obtaining tariff approval from the commission.

Additionally, Section 111 of the Act empowers the NCC to impose financial penalties on any licensee that exceeds approved tariffs, regardless of other legal provisions.

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the commission shall prescribe and enforce appropriate financial penalties upon any holder of an individual licence who exceeds the tariff rates duly approved by the commission for the provision of any of its services,” the Act read.

READ ALSO
Tanzania,  Nigeria Lead Africa in Rising Fraud Rates- Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 19, 2025 0

Tanzania and Nigeria have emerged as the leading countries in Africa for higher fraud rates, accordi...

READ ALSO
OpenAI Secures $200m Contract with US Department of Defense
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 17, 2025 0

The US Department of Defense on Monday awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to utilize generative...

READ ALSO
60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

Approximately 60,000 Nigerians residing overseas have registered on the Diaspora Data Mapping Portal...

READ ALSO
Federal Ministry Unveils Digital Village to Bridge Digital Divide in Abuja Community
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has launched a Digital Villag...

READ ALSO
FG Unveils Project CNG-SPROUT to Revolutionize Campus Transport with Clean Energy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

The federal government has launched a transportation initiative called "Project CNG-SPROUT," designe...

READ ALSO
Agro Alliance Takes Top Honors at Hack4Livestock with IoT Solution for Cattle Intrusions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Ministry of Livestock Development has announced its intention to empower 1,000...

READ ALSO
INEC Launches AI Division to Enhance Electoral Processes, Address Challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 23, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sanctioned the establishme...

READ ALSO
Legal Obligations Remain Despite Threats to Exit Nigeria, FCCPC Rebukes Meta Platforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

The Federal Government, through its Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has crit...

OUR CHANNELS:

Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire Deal, Tehran Denies Formal Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 25, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “comple...


French Police Arrest 12 over Alleged Drugging of Women at Music Festival
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

French police have arrested 12 individuals suspected of drugging female festivalgoers during the ann...


NATO Warns Iran Against Nuclear Weapon Development Amid Rising Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a renewed effort to curb escalating violence in the Middle East, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...


Mertens Announces Retirement from Football, Cites Age and Fatigue
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Belgian football star Dries Mertens has officially announced his retirement from professional footba...


Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...


Tinubu Launches National Mechanised Farming Programme to Tackle Food Insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a bid to combat food insecurity and encourage youth participation in farming, President Bola Tinu...


NGX Opens Week Bullish, Gains N279bn Amid Renewed Investor Confidence
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) commenced the trading week on a bullish trajectory, adding N279...


EFCC Urges Students to Shun Internet Fraud, Embrace Positive Online Ventures
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Ni...


Abia Govt Vows Crackdown After Cult Clash Leaves One Dead
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABIA, Nigeria - A suspected cultist was shot dead while another was apprehended following a violent...


Tinubu Showoff Chicago Classmate Amid Lingering Certificate Forgery Controversy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Amid ongoing public debate over his academic credentials, President Bola Tinubu on...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu