Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, has become Nigeria’s second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) by subscriber numbers as of Q3 2024.
According to the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Starlink’s active customers grew to 65,564 by the end of the quarter, surpassing FiberOne, which previously held the second spot. In December 2023, Starlink had 23,897 customers, making it the third-largest ISP at that time. The new figures indicate an addition of 41,667 subscribers in the first nine months of 2024.
Spectranet remains the top ISP in Nigeria, with 105,441 active customers as of Q3 2024. However, the company lost over 8,000 customers in the first three quarters of the year, down from 113,869 at the end of 2023. FiberOne now holds third place with 33,010 active customers.
There are currently 241 licensed ISPs in Nigeria, but only 124 had active customers as of Q3 2024. These ISPs had a combined 307,946 active users, a figure significantly lower than the internet customers of the country’s four major mobile network operators (MNOs). As of September 2024, MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile collectively had 132.4 million active internet subscriptions.
Despite higher costs compared to local ISPs, Starlink has attracted a large customer base since launching in Nigeria in January 2023. Its satellite service appeals to users in areas with poor internet connectivity.
In December 2024, Starlink increased its subscription price from N38,000 to N75,000 per month after an initial disagreement with the NCC over unapproved pricing changes. Due to high demand, Starlink temporarily suspended new orders in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. It also reached capacity in Benin City and Warri.
