Speaking at the ongoing Industry and Consumer Consultative Forum in Lagos, the NCC Vice-Chairman, Umaru Danbatta, disclosed that the commission is in serious discussions with Starlink to reduce the cost of services in Nigeria. The main objective is to close the connectivity gap and ensure that internet access is available even in rural and underserved areas of the country. One of Starlink's great features is its superior speed compared to 5G networks. Mr Danbatta explained: “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 no connectivity will be over with the satellite provision all over the country.”
There are various internet satellite providers in Nigeria, but Starlink stands out for its exceptional speed and service. The NCC Chairman said the Commission would actively consider the pricing of Starlink terminals to ensure affordability for Nigerians, especially the corporate sector, who would greatly benefit from Starlink's superior services. Addressing the issue of cybercrime, Mr. Danbatta emphasized the role of law enforcement agencies in curbing such activities and ensuring that cybercriminals face legal consequences. Although regulators like the NCC cannot directly fight cybercrime, it is the responsibility of law enforcement to catch perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Nigeria's recently passed data protection law is expected to play a key role in curbing electronic fraud. The bill focuses on regulating the handling and protection of data, personal data, and information, thereby strengthening cybersecurity measures in the country. Participants at the event emphasized the importance of the NCC setting targets to combat electronic fraud, with countries such as the UK developing plans and targets to address such issues within a specific time frame. countries. Starlink, owned by Elon Musk's Tesla, began operations in Nigeria in January amid expectations of improved performance and service disruptions. However, six months on, the expected disruption has not occurred, mainly due to prices that appear to be too high. According to reports, a Nigerian customer interested in using the Starlink service can pre-order his starter kit for $600 in addition to the $43 monthly subscription fee. Starlink's internet service is now available in Nigeria to subscribers who pre-order the necessary hardware. Currently, users can only pay for services with dollar cards. Unfortunately, due to the suspension of international transactions of Naira cards by Nigerian banks, many people who wish to use the service are unable to pay for their cards in local currency as Starlink does not have a physical presence in Nigeria.
