The Nigerian telecom sector is feeling the impact of the 50% tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) hit hardest by customer churn.
According to new NCC data, active users across 127 ISPs dropped from 307,946 in Q3 2024 to 289,369 in Q1 2025. While mobile network operators have maintained stable internet subscriptions, major ISPs are seeing significant losses as users adjust to higher prices.
Despite losing customers, the top three providers — Spectranet, Starlink, and FibreOne — retained their positions, highlighting a general market downturn. Starlink, for instance, saw its subscriber base drop from 65,564 to 59,509 after increasing its monthly price from ₦38,000 to ₦57,000.
Below are Nigeria’s top 10 ISPs by active subscribers as of Q1 2025:
Top 10 ISPs in Nigeria – Q1 2025
1. Spectranet – 103,252 Subscribers
Still the market leader despite a slight dip, Spectranet maintains a wide lead. Licensed in 2009, it was one of the first to roll out 4G LTE in Nigeria.
2. Starlink – 59,509 Subscribers
Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider saw its first subscriber loss due to pricing hikes but still holds the second spot.
3. FibreOne – 19,000 Subscribers
A top FTTH provider, FibreOne lost over 14,000 customers this quarter but retained third place.
4. Tizeti – 16,466 Subscribers
Known for solar-powered internet towers and public Wi-Fi, Tizeti remains stable in fourth position.
5. ipNX – 16,283 Subscribers
A pioneer in Fibre-to-the-Home technology, ipNX continues to serve both residential and enterprise clients.
6. Broadbased Communications – 9,940 Subscribers
A new entrant to the NCC’s active customer list, Broadbased runs a robust metropolitan fibre network.
7. Ngcom – 6,448 Subscribers
Climbing from 8th to 7th, Ngcom’s focus on unlimited data plans is attracting users.
8. VDT Communications – 5,564 Subscribers
Dropped from 7th to 8th, VDT provides WAN and MAN connectivity across all 36 states.
9. Cyberspace Network – 4,087 Subscribers
In operation since 1995, Cyberspace continues to provide 4G LTE and enterprise solutions.
10. Radical Technology Network – 3,674 Subscribers
With a presence in major cities, Radical Tech is praised for customer service despite modest user numbers.
Bottom Line
The ISP market in Nigeria is under pressure from high costs and growing competition from mobile network operators (MNOs), especially with the rollout of 5G by MTN and Airtel. Analysts say ISPs must innovate their pricing and service models to survive in this rapidly shifting landscape.
