The Nigerian Communications Commission has retracted its previously released press statement about the activities of Starlink, a satellite internet provider.
In a short message sent to media organizations on Tuesday, the NCC admitted that the release was a mistake and asked editors and journalists to withdraw any related reports.
“Kindly note that this press statement on Starlink was issued in error. It is hereby WITHDRAWN. If already published, kindly BRING DOWN,” the message, signed by the NCC’s Manager of Media Relations, Kunle Azeez, stated.
The Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, of the commission revealed that they intend to enforce actions against Starlink for increasing its subscription fees in Nigeria without obtaining approval from the regulator.
In a notification to its customers last week, Starlink announced that the price increase would impact both current and new subscribers.
The monthly subscription cost saw a 97% rise, going from N38,000 to N75,000.
Furthermore, new customers will have to pay more for the Starlink kit (the installation hardware), now priced at N590,000, which is a 34% increase from the previous price of N440,000.
The NCC clarified that it had not given approval for the price hike.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka stated.
He stated that the commission was “surprised” when the company revealed the price changes, even though it had submitted a request to the NCC for a price modification that the regulator had not yet authorized.
