The action follows Starlinks unilateral decision to raise its subscription fees in Nigeria without obtaining the necessary regulatory approval, said the NCC.
The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced the commencement of pre-enforcement actions against Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by SpaceX. The Commission made the announcement via a press release, reported Space in Africa.
The press release states that “the decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The action of the company is in contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, and Starlinks Licence Conditions regarding tariffs. The Commission commenced pre-enforcement action on the licensee on the 3rd of October, 2024.”
Earlier this month, Starlink announced substantial price increases in its Nigerian market, raising the standard service subscription by 97%. This adjustment increased the monthly fee from ?38,000 ($22.8) to ?75,000 ($50). In addition, the mobile regional (roam unlimited) plan, which allows customers to use their Starlink kits outside their home or office within Nigeria, rose from ?49,000 ($29.4) to ?167,000 ($100) per month. The mobile global roaming service has also seen a significant price surge, now priced at ?717,000 ($429.5) monthly. New Starlink kits have also experienced a price hike, increasing from ?440,000 ($263.6) to ?590,000 ($353.4). Existing customers are expected to begin paying these revised rates starting October 3, while new subscribers are subject to the changes immediately.
According to the NCC, Starlinks actions violate Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, which mandate that all telecommunications operators must obtain prior approval from the NCC before adjusting any tariffs, and licensees must provide accurate tariff information to the public and the Commission before implementing any changes, respectively.
Starlink is yet to respond on the development.
