By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The decision of Starlink to increase the price of its service plans in the country has not gone down well with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The regulator described the action of the internet service provider as illegal as the company did not secure authorisation to raise its monthly subscription price for consumers, threatening to wield its hammer on the firm.
Last week, Starlink announced new prices for its packages “due to excessive levels of inflation” in Nigeria, which have negatively affected the cost of operations.
It said subscribers of the standard residential plan will now begin to pay N75,000 per month and not the previous N38,000 per month, while the mobile regional (Roam Unlimited) users will pay N167,000 and subscribers of the mobile global roam plan will pay N717,000.
But the NCC said Starlink did not get approval to hike its service plans despite the excuse it gave for the action, vowing to resist it, especially as the government has refused local telecom players like MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and others to increase their rates.
The agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Reuben Muoka, argued that the price hike goes against Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review their subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Mr Muoka stated.
“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,” he declared.
Adedapo Adesanya
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