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The <a href="https://www.alton.org.ng/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Association of Licensed Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria</a> (Altcon) has tagged Starlink’s increase in internet subscription prices without getting approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a significant affront to regulatory bodies.
Recall that some days ago, we <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/01/starlink-increase-router-price-590-000/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">reported</a> that Elon Musk’s Starlink, an internet service provider with nearly 24,000 subscribers in Nigeria, raised its router price to N590,000. The company also increased monthly subscriptions by 100%, following an increase of N38,000 to N75,000.
The ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, while condemning the action, said the telecommunication sector is regulated and expects strict adherence to set rules from all operators. He explained that all operators within the country needed regulatory approval from the NCC before enforcing such decisions.&nbsp;
He further explained that the regulatory body was surprised following Starlink’s announcement of a price increment without getting approval from NCC. He, however, admitted that though the company filed a request, the request was not granted before embarking on the increment..
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="762" height="429" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Starlink.jpeg" alt="SpaceX's Starlink falls short of bold projections with just 1.5m subscribers in 2022" class="wp-image-213980" style="width: 100%;height:auto">
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 Starlink
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“We had made contact with the NCC, and they confirmed that no approval was granted. According to the regulatory framework, no provider can unilaterally increase prices without the Commission’s consent. Doing so not only breaches the rules but also disrespects the authority of the Commission, which must not be taken lightly,” Adebayo explained.&nbsp;
<a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/01/starlink-increase-router-price-590-000/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Read More: Naira Devaluation – Starlink Increase Router Price to N590,000, Monthly Subscription up by 100%</a>
<h4 id="nccs-reaction-to-starlinks-action" class="wp-block-heading">NCC’s Reaction to Starlink’s Action</h4>
Starlink’s decision to increase hardware prices and monthly subscriptions has generated several concerns mostly pointing to its economic impact. The move by the third-largest internet service provider in Nigeria has led to questions about the affordability and access to internet services.
The commission, tasked with regulating Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, had earlier condemned Starlink’s price hike, stating that it violated Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003, as well as the conditions tied to Starlink’s operating license.
“The action of the company appears to contravene the Nigerian Communications Act and its license conditions regarding tariffs. The Commission will take appropriate enforcement measures to ensure regulatory stability,” the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka, said in a statement.
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 <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="563" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Reuben-Muoka-NCC.jpeg" alt="NCC Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka" class="wp-image-237186">
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 NCC Director of Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka
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The NCC also noted that Starlink’s decision to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the NCC.&nbsp;“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 agency, which is yet to clarify its action, retracted its decision to sanction Starlink.&nbsp;
NCC is also expected to take enforcement actions on Starlink after it failed to comply with price adjustment conditions. According to various Stakeholders, NCC is expected to protect customers and ensure compliance with its acts.
<a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/08/nigeria-suspend-starlinks-license-price/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Read More: NCC Withdrawn Starlink’s License Suspension Announcement&nbsp;</a>
<h4 id="customers-reaction" class="wp-block-heading">Customers’ reaction&nbsp;</h4>
Nigerians still await further communications from NCC on whether a sanction on Starlink is to be expected. Considering the economic situation of the country, customers have earlier in the month expressed their displeasure with the increment.
@Olayinka said, “I use two. I think I might have to park one or both off. I can’t cope.”
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@Ejimzsnr, “I just got this email and I’m just speechless. This is just crazy, they doubled the price like how do one go from here now?? The price is ridiculous.”
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@the great ola, felt the current price is still far in comparison to his monthly MTN subscription. “I just installed mine last night. In all fairness this is cheaper compared to how much I pay MTN monthly.”
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<a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/08/can-the-ncc-sanction-starlink/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Also Read: Can the NCC Sanction Starlink over its “Unapproved” 97% price increase?</a>
The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/14/starlink-price-increase-altcon-approval/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Price hike: Altcon says Starlink has no right to increase subscriptions without NCC approval</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Technext</a>.

Price hike: Altcon says Starlink has no right to increase subscriptions without NCC approval

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