BY Busola Aro
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced pre-enforcement action on Starlink, a satellite internet service provider owned by Elon Musk, the richest person in the world.
In a statement on Tuesday, Reuben Muoka, director of public affairs at NCC, said the action began on October 3 – two days after the satellite company hiked its subscription prices.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review their subscription packages upwards, did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka said.
“The action of the company is in contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and Starlink’s License Conditions regarding tariffs.
“The Commission commenced pre-enforcement action on the licensee on the 3rd of October, 2024.”
Earlier today, NCC said it was “surprised” when the company announced the price changes.
Muoka had said Starlink filed a request with the NCC for a price adjustment, but the regulator had not communicated a decision before the company announced a price adjustment.
In the statement issued earlier, NCC said it will take appropriate enforcement measures against any action by a licensee that is capable of eroding the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry.
However, a few hours later, NCC said its statement claiming that Starlink did not receive regulatory approval before hiking its subscription prices in Nigeria was “issued in error”.
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