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
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...

READ ALSO
Digital Inequality in Africa: High costs, infrastructure gaps leave millions offline
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 21, 2025 0

Despite significant investments in Nigeria and various regions of Africa, only 38 percent of the pop...

READ ALSO
CBEX unregistered digital assets exchange in Nigeria, SEC warns of investment risks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 19, 2025 0

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced that Crypto Bridge Exchange, also referre...

READ ALSO
NDPC launches initiative to combat cyberbullying, financial fraud through data protection
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 7, 2025 0

The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Monday reiterated its dedication to enhancing data...

OUR CHANNELS:

70-Year-Old Faces Manslaughter Charges After Fatal Accident
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - A 70-year-old man, Isiaka Afolayan, has been detained for careless driving and the...


Police Arrest 49 years old Suspect for Abduction of Two-Month-Old Baby
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

DELTA, Nigeria - The police in Delta reported the arrest of a suspect named Joy Temitope for the abd...


43 Lives Lost in Benue Armed Attacks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

BENUE, Nigeria - At least 43 individuals lost their lives when armed assailants targeted communities...


Health Equity: Nigeria's Push for Universal Health Coverage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

In alignment with the global effort towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Nigeria is striving to...


Road Maintenance Crisis: FERMA Requires N880 Billion Yearly Amid Budget Shortfalls
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government needs approximately N880 billion each year for the upkeep of...


Okocha Urges Victor Osimhen to Consider Staying at Galatasaray
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

Nigerian football icon Jay-Jay Okocha has shared advice with Victor Osimhen amid growing speculation...


60,000 Nigerians Abroad Register on Diaspora Data Mapping Portal
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

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


PDP Leaders Slam Minister for Backing Tinubu's 2027 Campaign
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Coalition of United Pol...


Gunmen Shot Dead Real Estate Investor, Abduct Wife
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

OWERRI, Nigeria - A real estate investor lost his life after being attacked and fatally shot by a gr...


JUST IN: Former Super Eagles Star Emmanuel Udoh Passes Away
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The team manager of Akwa United and a former defender for the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Udoh, has been...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu