The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has retracted its recent press statement regarding the operations of Starlink, a satellite internet service provider.
In a brief notification sent to media outlets on Tuesday, the NCC acknowledged that the statement was released in error and urged editors and journalists to withdraw any related articles.
In a message signed by the NCC’s Manager of Media Relations, Kunle Azeez, he wrote, “Kindly note that this press statement on Starlink was issued in error. It is hereby WITHDRAWN. If already published, kindly BRING DOWN.”
Previously, the commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, had indicated plans to take enforcement actions against Starlink for raising its subscription prices in Nigeria without the necessary regulatory approval.
In a communication sent to its customers last week, Starlink announced that the price increase would impact both existing and new users.
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In related developments, the NCC had indicated that Elon Musk’s Starlink would face sanctions for implementing an unauthorized price hike.
The monthly subscription fee surged by 97%, rising from N38,000 to N75,000. Additionally, the Starlink kit’s cost, the installation equipment, has increased by 34%, now priced at N590,000, up from the previous N440,000.
However, the NCC clarified that it had not sanctioned this price increase.
“Starlink’s unilateral decision to raise its subscription rates was made without the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka stated, expressing surprise at the company’s announcement of the price changes. He noted that Starlink had previously submitted a request for a price adjustment, which the NCC had yet to approve.
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