Competition drives ISPs’ performance, 34% rise in subscribers’ growth - The Guardian Nigeria News
Competition among Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria has intensified, driving significant improvements in service delivery and accessibility.
Analysis of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) data for Q2 data revealed that subscriber growth surged by 34.2 per cent within the last one year, underscoring how market rivalry is pushing providers to expand coverage, lower costs, and enhance customer experiences. This trend reflected a broader shift in Nigeria’s digital economy, where connectivity is increasingly seen as a critical driver of innovation and inclusion.
Analysts attributed the rise in subscriptions to aggressive pricing strategies, improved infrastructure investments, and the entry of new players into the market. With more options available, consumers are benefiting from faster speeds and more reliable services, while ISPs are compelled to innovate to retain and attract customers. The competitive landscape is reshaping Nigeria’s broadband sector, positioning it as a key enabler of economic growth and digital transformation.
The Guardian analysis showed that active subscribers, which were 313,713 as of Q2 2025, grew by 34.2 per cent to 420,989 as of the same period in 2026. It showed that operators delivered services to 107, 296 more customers in the last one year.
Checks further showed that 125 ISPs have between zero and 2000 active subscribers, while 23 players boast of 2001 and above users.
Further analysis revealed leading players within the segment to include Spectranet, Starlink, FibreOne, Field Base, Swift, ipNX, Broadbased, Tizeti, NgCom, Luli Fibra, Cyberspace and VDT.
Among the subscribers, 138,769 are very active Wired (Fixed/FTTH) users, while Active Wireless Broadband users were 282,220. Meanwhile, the ISPs boast of 2,893 points of presence (PoP) spread nationwide.
In an earlier conversation with The Guardian, the Head, Regulatory and Public Relations, Kenny Joda, linked the growth to so many things. They include “Growing dependence on stable home broadband: Hybrid work, online learning, e-commerce, and entertainment have made fixed broadband a necessity for households and SMEs.
“Network expansion by leading ISPs: Active players, including FibreOne, expanded fibre footprints, upgraded network resilience, and improved service delivery across multiple cities. More competitive pricing and product innovation: Flexible packages, value-added services, and enterprise solutions attracted both new and migrating customers.
“Accelerated digital adoption by businesses: SMEs are increasingly moving operations online, driving the need for dependable connectivity.
“Improved quality of experience: Significant upgrade projects, including FibreOne’s network enhancements across all operational sectors, boosted user satisfaction and referrals.”
Speaking with The Guardian, former NITEL staff member Kehinde Aluko said major ISPs like Spectranet, Starlink, and FibreOne dominate nearly 70 per cent of the market, leveraging scale and capital to expand aggressively.
He disclosed that smaller ISPs face challenges but are forced to innovate or cut prices, which benefits consumers with more affordable options.
“Fibre connections grew nearly 3.8x in 18 months, reaching about 320,000 connections by mid-2026. This has significantly improved speed and reliability for households and businesses.
“Starlink’s entry has expanded access to underserved areas, offering premium connectivity where fibre or mobile networks are limited,” he added.
Aluko submitted that 4G expansion and early 5G rollout have boosted mobile broadband performance, making Internet access faster and more reliable.
He stressed that consumers now have multiple choices, including mobile, fibre, and satellite, creating a diversified ecosystem that fuels adoption.
According to him, patronage of ISPs in Nigeria is rising because of better infrastructure, regulatory support, and competitive offerings, but sustainability will depend on balancing market concentration with consumer choice.
With three ISPs controlling most of the market, Aluko submitted that smaller providers struggle to survive, risking reduced competition long-term. He added that there are still high operating costs, stressing that bandwidth prices, right-of-way fees, and spectrum scarcity remain barriers for smaller ISPs.
Joda affirmed this, saying bandwidth, diesel, security, and maintenance remain heavy burdens, especially for smaller operators.
According to the FibreOne chief, despite fibre infrastructure being officially classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) under the Federal Government’s Project BRIDGE for digital inclusion, enforcement still needs to improve.
To further keep the ISP space afloat, Joda noted that the NCC has demonstrated commitment through several initiatives, and they deserve commendation.
According to him, to further strengthen the sector, a few actions will be impactful. He suggested: “Enhance enforcement of CNI protections: Stronger penalties for vandalism and deliberate fibre cuts.”
