Internet service provider Starlink has stepped back from its planned price increase in Nigeria following intervention from the country's communications regulator. The company, owned by Elon Musk, made this announcement to its customers on Thursday.
The original plan would have nearly doubled monthly subscription costs from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000 (a 97% increase). Starlink had justified this significant price hike as necessary to maintain service quality and cope with inflation.
However, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) quickly responded on October 9, stating that Starlink had not received the required approval for the price change and warned of possible penalties.
Starlink has now informed its customers that:
- The price increase is temporarily suspended
- Customers who already paid the higher rate will receive a credit
- Users retain the option to cancel their service at any time
This situation highlights the strict regulatory environment in Nigeria's telecommunications sector. Traditional mobile operators have also requested permission to raise their prices in recent months, but the NCC has not approved these requests.
The company cited "regulatory challenges" as the reason for reversing course, demonstrating the NCC's significant influence in protecting consumer interests in Nigeria's telecommunications market.
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