NCC admits error after initially threatening Starlink for price hike

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has retracted its previous statement threatening to sanction Elon Musk’s Starlink for raising its subscription fees without regulatory approval.

Dr. Reuben Muoka, the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, initially communicated this position to Nairametrics, but later clarified that his response was an “error.” In a follow-up message, he stated, “Please ignore my response above. My statement was an error of assertion.”

The reason behind the NCC’s sudden reversal remains unclear, especially after it had established that Starlink had violated regulations by increasing tariffs without authorization.

IDOMA VOICE ealier reported that the NCC intended to sanction Starlink after stakeholders criticized the telecom regulator for perceived double standards—allowing Starlink’s price hike while prohibiting local telecom operators from adjusting their tariffs.

In response to inquiries, Muoka had indicated that Starlink’s price increase violated Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 and its licensing conditions. He expressed surprise at the company’s unilateral decision to raise its subscription rates, noting that they had filed a request for price adjustments that had not yet been approved by the Commission.

Starlink recently increased its monthly subscription fee in Nigeria by 97%, raising it from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000. Additionally, the cost of Starlink kits for new users rose by 34%, from ₦440,000 to ₦590,000, with the company citing “excessive inflation” as the reason for the increases.

Meanwhile, local telecom operators, represented by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have been advocating for a tariff review. They argue that the telecom sector is the only industry yet to adjust its prices despite rising inflation and other economic challenges.

However, the NCC, along with the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has rejected these calls, urging operators to find innovative solutions to address inflationary pressures and high operational costs.