Elon Musk’s Starlink has quickly risen to become the second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nigeria, surpassing FiberOne in terms of customer numbers, according to a recent report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Spectranet still holds the top spot in the market with 105,441 active subscribers, despite a slight decline since December 2023.
Starlink entered the Nigerian market in January 2023 and has shown impressive growth, reaching 65,564 subscribers in just nine months, adding 41,667 new users. This growth has propelled Starlink ahead of FiberOne, which now sits in third place with 33,010 subscribers.
The NCC’s data for Q3 2024 revealed that out of the 241 licensed ISPs in Nigeria, only 124 had active users, collectively serving 307,946 subscribers. However, these numbers pale in comparison to the dominance of mobile network operators like MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, which collectively account for over 130 million internet users in the country.
Starlink’s success can be attributed to its satellite-based internet service, which offers coverage in remote areas where traditional ISPs struggle to reach. By the end of 2023, Starlink had already secured the third position with 23,897 users, marking a 113% increase from the previous quarter. The company’s expansion has also been supported by partnerships with Nigerian firms such as TD Africa and Konga. In 2023, Starlink temporarily stopped accepting new orders in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt due to capacity constraints.
The rise of Starlink in Nigeria reflects a growing demand for reliable internet services, especially in underserved areas. As the competition in the ISP market heats up, it will be interesting to see how companies like Starlink continue to innovate and expand their reach to meet the evolving needs of consumers.
