Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, has officially become Nigeria’s second-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) by subscriber numbers as of Q3 2024.
This information was revealed in the latest report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Starlink’s active customer base reached 65,564 by the end of the third quarter, surpassing FiberOne, which previously held the second position.
Starlink’s customer count surged by 41,667 from 23,897 in December 2023, making it the third-largest ISP at the time.
Meanwhile, Spectranet retained the top spot with 105,441 active customers by the end of Q3 2024 but lost over 8,000 subscribers compared to 113,869 in December 2023.
By the end of Q3 2024, Nigeria had 241 licensed ISPs, with 124 having active customers. These active ISPs collectively served 307,946 users, a figure that remains low compared to the 132.4 million active subscriptions held by Nigeria’s major mobile network operators (MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile).
Starlink’s satellite service has gained considerable traction in remote areas with poor network infrastructure, offering reliable internet where traditional ISPs fall short.
In December 2024, Starlink raised its monthly subscription price from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000 following a dispute with the NCC for not securing approval beforehand.
Due to high demand, the company had to suspend new orders temporarily in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt after reaching full capacity in 2023.
