The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released its latest data, revealing that Starlink, Elon Musk’s internet company, has become the second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nigeria by subscriber numbers.
As of the third quarter of 2024, Starlink’s active customer base in Nigeria reached 65,564, surpassing FiberOne, which previously held the second spot. This represents a significant surge of 41,667 customers from December 2023.
Spectranet retained its top position with 105,441 active customers at the end of Q3 2024. However, it lost over 8,000 subscribers compared to its December 2023 numbers.FiberOne, now in third place, had 33,010 active customers at the end of the quarter. The NCC reported that there are 241 companies licensed as ISPs in Nigeria, with 124 of them having active customers.
These 124 ISPs collectively had 307,946 active customers, a relatively low figure compared to the 132.4 million active internet subscriptions reported by Nigeria’s four mobile network operators.
Starlink’s satellite service has generated significant interest in Nigeria since its launch in January 2023.Despite higher costs compared to local ISPs, the service has attracted customers in areas with poor internet networks, offering a reliable solution where traditional ISPs struggle to deliver.
Starlink’s rapid customer growth has outpaced many long-established ISPs in Nigeria. However, the company’s subscription prices have increased significantly, with a monthly subscription hike from N38,000 to N75,000 in December 2024.
The demand for Starlink’s service has been so high that, at certain points last year, the company had to suspend new orders in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt due to reaching full capacity.
Source : https://www.samaa.tv/
