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
Cyber Threats: Nigeria's digital ecosystem at risk from scams and AI attacks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 22, 2025 0

LAGOS- A report by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria has indicated that Nigeria&rsqu...

READ ALSO
NDPC launches National Certification Programme for DPOs
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 21, 2025 0

NIGERIA, (NAN) - The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), on Monday, launched the national cer...

READ ALSO
Trump to reinstate TikTok operations in U.S on Monday, seek 50% ownership
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 20, 2025 0

UNITED STATE- US President-elect Donald Trump has announced on Saturday that he plans to reinstate T...

READ ALSO
Omo-Eko mobile app 90% completed- Commissioner
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 18, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria(NAN) - The Lagos state commissioner for transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, has announ...

READ ALSO
Install CCTVs on high-rise buildings- LASG
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 15, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria(NAN)  - The Lagos State government has made it mandatory for building owners to...

READ ALSO
Improving smartphone affordability in Africa- Analys
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 9, 2025 0

Smartphones have become central to the lives of mil­lions across Africa, deliver­ing financi...

READ ALSO
Venezuela slams TikTok with $10m fine amid offensive challenge
BY Benedicta Bassey December 31, 2024 0

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has issues a $10 million fine against TikTok for disregarding measur...

READ ALSO
Website Hack: NBS budgets N35m for cybersecurity training
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

The National Bureau of Statistics has earmarked N35m in its 2025 budget proposal for “Capacity...

OUR CHANNELS:

FG advocates reversal of mother tongue instruction policy in primary education
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 9, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria- The Federal Government has encouraged the National Council on Education and relevant...


Shettima highlights Nigeria's growing medical tourism
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 9, 2025 0

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has stated that patients from the United States (US) and other nation...


Fake Number plates, major security threat- FRSC
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 7, 2025 0

The Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has identified fake number plates as...


Nigeria's education system set for major reform, aligning with global standards
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 9, 2025 0

In an effort to overhaul the Nigerian education system to align it with those of more advanced count...


Geopolitical Shift: 31 new states proposes across Nigeria's regions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 7, 2025 0

The House of Representatives Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution has proposed the creat...


FRSC Partners NDLEA, NESREA to combat illicit drug Use
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 7, 2025 0

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency...


FCTA allocates N795.6m for 12-Month insurance policy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 9, 2025 0

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has allocated N795.6 million to secure a 12-mont...


65% prisoners awaiting trial- NBA
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 7, 2025 0

AKURE (NAN) - Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) reports that over 65 percent of the population in corre...


Tinubu terminates meeting with GAC over Obasa's reinstatement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 6, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu unexpectedly terminated a meeting with members of the Governance Advisory Coun...


Shettima launches DMO supervisory board to enhance fiscal, monetary policy coordination
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 7, 2025 0

Vice President Kashim Shettima has launched the Supervisory Board of the Debt Management Office (DMO...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu