Starlink Surges to Become Nigeria’s Second-Largest Internet Service Provider
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has quickly ascended to become Nigeria’s second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) by subscriber count as of the third quarter of 2024. This development was highlighted in the latest data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to the NCC’s report, Starlink’s active customer base in Nigeria reached 65,564 by the end of Q3 2024, surpassing FiberOne, which previously held the second position in subscriber numbers. This represents a remarkable growth from December 2023, when Starlink had only 23,897 customers and was ranked third. The data suggests that within the first nine months of the previous year, Starlink successfully added 41,667 subscribers.
Spectranet Retains Top Position
Spectranet, one of Nigeria’s long-established ISPs, continues to lead the market with 105,441 active customers at the end of Q3 2024. However, this marks a decline, as the company had reported a customer count of 113,869 at the close of 2023, indicating a loss of over 8,000 subscribers during the year. FiberOne now trails at a significant distance in third place with just 33,010 active customers.
The Landscape of ISPs and MNOs
The NCC further reveals that Nigeria is home to a total of 241 licensed ISPs. However, only 124 of these providers had active subscribers as of Q3 2024. This group of 124 ISPs collectively reported 307,946 active customers, a number that still pales in comparison to the combined internet subscriptions of the four major mobile network operators (MNOs) in the country, which accounted for 132.4 million active subscriptions by September 2024.
Key Points to Note
Despite higher subscription costs compared to local ISPs, Starlink has generated significant interest among Nigerians keen on seeking better internet services. Its satellite connectivity appeals particularly to those residing in areas with unreliable internet access. Remarkably, many established local ISPs, despite years of operation, are trailing behind Starlink in customer acquisition within less than two years of its launch in Nigeria, which began in January 2023.
Starlink, which hiked its subscription price from N38,000 to N75,000 per month in December 2023, faced initial disputes with the NCC regarding price approval prior to this increase. The skyrocketing demand for its services prompted Starlink to temporarily halt new orders in major urban centers such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, as it reached capacity. Additionally, the service was declared ‘sold out’ in other cities, including Benin City and Warri.
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