The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is actively working with Starlink, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, to lower service costs and improve connectivity in Nigeria. Umar Danbatta, the Chairman of the NCC, emphasized that Starlink’s service surpasses the speed of 5G networks. The objective is to make the service more affordable for corporate entities, thereby enhancing overall performance.
During the ongoing Industry Consumer Advisory Forum held in Lagos, Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, revealed that the Commission is engaged in serious discussions with Starlink to reduce service costs within Nigeria. The primary goal is to bridge the connectivity gap and ensure that internet access becomes accessible to rural and underserved areas of the country.
One of the standout features of Starlink is its superior speed when compared to 5G networks. Danbatta expressed, “We recently issued a license to Starlink. This is a communication service provider that operates all over the country. We are engaging them to bring their services down to reasonable levels so people in rural areas can equally benefit from this important information. With time, we hope the days of un-connectivity will be over with the satellite provision all over the country.”
Despite the existence of various internet satellite providers in Nigeria, Starlink stands out due to its exceptional speed and service operations. The NCC chairman emphasized that the Commission is actively considering the pricing of Starlink terminals to ensure affordability for Nigerians, especially the corporate sector, which would greatly benefit from the superior services provided by Starlink.
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Addressing the issue of cybercrime, Danbatta highlighted the role of law enforcement agencies in curbing such activities and ensuring that cybercriminals face legal consequences. While regulatory bodies like the NCC cannot directly combat cybercrime, it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to apprehend culprits and bring them to justice.
The recently enacted Data Protection Bill in Nigeria is expected to play a crucial role in curbing electronic fraud. The bill focuses on regulating the handling and protection of data, personal details, and information, thereby bolstering cybersecurity measures within the country. Participants at the event stressed the importance of the NCC setting targets to combat electronic fraud, citing countries like the UK that have devised plans and objectives to address such issues within specific timeframes.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s Tesla, commenced operations in Nigeria in January amid great anticipation for improved performance and service disruption. However, six months later, the expected disruption has not materialized, mainly due to the perceived exorbitant pricing. Reports indicate that customers in Nigeria interested in availing themselves of Starlink services can pre-order starter kits for $600, in addition to a $43 monthly subscription fee.
According to Legit.ng, Starlink’s internet service is now accessible in Nigeria for subscribers who pre-ordered the necessary hardware. Users can currently only make payments for the service using dollar cards. Unfortunately, due to the suspension of international transactions for naira cards by Nigerian banks, many individuals who desire to utilize the service are unable to pay for it using their local currency, as Starlink does not have a physical presence in the country.
