The Nigerian Communications Commission has reversed its earlier claim that Starlink, the satellite internet service provider, did not obtain regulatory approval for its recent price increase.
In a Tuesday morning statement, the NCC initially indicated that Starlink would face sanctions for raising its subscription prices without prior authorization.
“We were surprised that the company jumped the gun by announcing price changes after filing a request to the Commission seeking approval for a price adjustment for which the Commission was yet to communicate a decision,” the NCC had stated earlier.
Starlink recently doubled its base subscription rate to ₦75,000 ($48) per month and increased the price of its kits by 34%, from ₦440,000 to ₦590,000. However, in a second communication to media outlets, the NCC retracted its initial statement, asking for any published reports on the matter to be taken down, citing that the press release had been issued in error.
Despite the price hike, Starlink remains Nigeria’s dominant satellite internet provider, offering an essential alternative to traditional internet services. The increase comes as Nigeria faces rising inflation, further straining living costs for many citizens.
Under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, the NCC holds the authority to regulate telecom tariffs, with Section 108 specifically requiring service providers to obtain approval for any changes to their rates. The regulator’s control over telecom tariffs has long been a contentious issue, with mobile operators pushing for a review of prices that have remained unchanged for over a decade, despite increasing operational costs. However, the NCC has so far resisted calls to adjust these tariffs.
