Elon Musk’s Starlink has emerged as the second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nigeria, surpassing FiberOne in terms of customer numbers, while Spectranet continues to hold the top spot in the market.
This information was disclosed in a recent report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). According to the NCC’s Q3 2024 data, Spectranet remained the leader with 105,441 active subscribers, even though it experienced a decline of over 8,000 users since December 2023.
In comparison, Starlink, which launched in Nigeria in January 2023, saw impressive growth, reaching 65,564 subscribers after just nine months, adding 41,667 new users. As a result, FiberOne dropped to third place with 33,010 subscribers.
The report further revealed that out of the 241 licensed ISPs in Nigeria, only 124 had active users in Q3 2024, collectively serving 307,946 subscribers. However, these numbers are significantly lower than the dominance of mobile network operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, which together accounted for more than 130 million internet users as of September 2024.
Starlink’s growth has been propelled by its satellite-based internet service, offering coverage in remote areas where traditional ISPs face challenges. By the end of 2023, Starlink had secured the third position with 23,897 users, reflecting a 113% increase from the previous quarter. The company’s expansion has also been bolstered by partnerships with Nigerian companies like TD Africa and Konga. In 2023, Starlink briefly halted accepting new orders in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt due to capacity limitations.
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