The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted operating licences to seven new Internet Service Providers (ISPs), further intensifying competition in Nigeria’s broadband market.
According to updated industry data from the NCC, each of the newly approved ISPs received a five-year licence, effective from January 1, 2026. With the latest approvals, the total number of authorised ISPs in Nigeria has increased to 231, up from 224 recorded in December 2025.
Where the New ISPs Are Located
The geographical spread of the new licence holders reflects the continued concentration of broadband infrastructure in highly commercialised areas. Of the seven new ISPs, five are based in Lagos, while one is located in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and one in Imo State.
The newly licensed ISPs are:
- Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited (Lagos)
- Boost ISP Limited (Lagos)
- Dasol Solutions Services Limited (Lagos)
- Fibre Sonic Limited (Lagos)
- Intellivision Technologies Limited (Lagos)
- Wetom Technologies Limited (Abuja)
- Granet Technologies Limited (Imo)
Rising Competition in a Growing Market
The addition of new ISPs comes at a time of heightened competition in Nigeria’s telecoms sector, as operators vie for subscribers amid surging data consumption. NCC data shows that Nigeria recorded 144.7 million internet subscribers as of November 2025, while total data usage hit 1.236 million terabytes during the same month.
For consumers, the growing number of ISPs could signal improved service quality, better pricing, and expanded coverage, especially as reliable internet access becomes increasingly critical for financial services, remote work, education, and digital commerce.
The move also aligns with the NCC’s broader efforts to deepen connectivity through alternative technologies. Recently, the Commission licensed additional global satellite providers, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, BeetleSat-1, and Germany-based Satelio IoT Services, strengthening Nigeria’s satellite broadband ecosystem.
Market Still Dominated by a Few Players
Despite the growing number of licensed ISPs, Nigeria’s ISP market remains highly concentrated. According to NCC data for the second quarter of 2025, Spectranet, Starlink, and FibreOne together accounted for about 65% of active ISP subscribers.
As of Q2 2025, Spectranet led the market with 99,520 active subscribers, followed by Starlink with 66,523, and FibreOne with 37,117. Other notable players include ipNX with 15,636 subscribers and Tizeti with 13,996.
This distribution reflects a shifting market where satellite-based internet services, led by Starlink, are increasingly competing with traditional fixed wireless and fibre broadband providers.
Mobile Broadband Still Dominates Internet Access
While ISP subscriptions continue to grow, they represent only a small fraction of Nigeria’s overall internet usage. According to NCC data, the country’s four major mobile network operators — MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile — account for 99.5% of internet subscribers, or 144.1 million users, as of November 2025.
The dominance of mobile broadband highlights ongoing challenges for fixed internet providers, including infrastructure costs and last-mile connectivity. However, the steady increase in licensed ISPs suggests a market that is gradually evolving, with room for innovation, improved service delivery, and more competitive broadband options across Nigeria.
As Nigeria pushes toward its digital economy ambitions, the NCC’s continued licensing of new ISPs points to a regulatory strategy focused on expanding choice, strengthening competition, and improving overall internet quality nationwide.
