The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has withdrawn its earlier statement, threatening to sanction Starlink for increasing its subscription price without its approval.

NCC’s spokesperson Reuben Muoka, who shared the Commission’s position with Nairametrics earlier, said the response to the media outlet’s inquiry was an error.

“Please ignore my response above. My statement was an error of assertion,” he stated in his message to Nairametrics.

The NCC had denied approving a price hike for Starlink, following the company’s increase in its subscription price in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, attributed to the NCC, it said it was surprised by the move, which took the country by surprise as well.

According to Muoka, Starlink’s action contravened Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, as well as its licence conditions regarding tariffs.

“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review their subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission.

“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.

“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and Starlink’s License 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,” the DPA stated.

Last week, Starlink increased the monthly subscription for its internet service in Nigeria by 97 per cent, from N38,000 to N75,000.

For new users, the company also increased the price of the Starlink kits (hardware) by 34 per cent, from N440,000 to N590,000.

Also in a message to its customers in Nigeria, Starlink cited “excessive inflation” as the reason for the price increase.