The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has withdrawn
its statement claiming that Starlink did not receive regulatory approval before
hiking its subscription prices in Nigeria
The development comes a few hours after Reuben Muoka, the
director of public affairs at NCC, said the commission was “surprised” when the
company announced the price changes.
Although Muoka acknowledged that Starlink had filed a
request with the NCC to adjust its prices, he said the regulator did not
approve it.
“We were surprised that the company jumped the gun by
announcing price changes after filing a request to the Commission seeking
approval for price adjustment for which the Commission was yet to communicate a
decision,” NCC had said earlier in a statement.
“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of
Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and
Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.
“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.”
However, speaking in another statement, Muoka asked media
houses to withdraw the commission’s previous statement on the matter.
“I wish to request
that all who have received this press statement should ignore, as it was issued
in error,” he said.
“Kindly withdraw it if it has been posted on your
platforms.”
Telecommunications stakeholders have been clamouring for an
upward tariff review to make the sector attractive to investors.
On April 25, telcos said their services were overdue for
price increments as they have not raised rates in the last 11 years.
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