The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) has criticized Starlink for increasing its internet subscription prices without approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). They called this move a serious challenge to the regulatory authority.
Recently, Starlink raised its monthly subscription fees by 97%, from N38,000 to N75,000, and increased the price of its hardware kit by 34%, from N440,000 to N590,000. The company, with nearly 24,000 subscribers in Nigeria, cited high inflation as the reason for the price hike.
ALTON’s Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, stated that the telecom industry in Nigeria is highly regulated and that companies must follow the rules, including getting NCC approval before changing prices. He emphasized that Starlink’s actions violated these rules.
The NCC previously condemned Starlink for the price hike, stating it violated sections of the Nigerian Communications Act. The commission said it would take steps to enforce compliance and ensure stability. However, the NCC later withdrew its statement and has not clarified its stance.
Mobile operators like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom have also been waiting for approval to increase their tariffs, which has not happened in over a decade. Meanwhile, ALTON is continuing discussions with stakeholders about sustaining the industry, including the possibility of tariff reviews.
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