NCC licenses six new ISPs in Nigeria, expanding the market as competition deepens and pressure mounts on smaller broadband providers.
Nigeria’s broadband market is set for further expansion following the approval of six new Internet Service Providers by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The licences take effect from January 1, 2026, according to updates published in the Commission’s licensing database.
ISP Numbers Rise Despite Market Pressure
With the new approvals, the total number of licensed ISPs in Nigeria has increased to 231, up from 225 recorded in December 2025.
The expansion comes at a challenging time for traditional broadband operators, many of whom are struggling to compete with cheaper retail data plans offered by mobile network giants such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile.
The market has also been disrupted by satellite broadband services, particularly Starlink, which continues to gain ground nationwide.
Lagos Dominates New ISP Licences
NCC data shows that five of the newly licensed ISPs are based in Lagos, reinforcing the city’s dominance in Nigeria’s broadband landscape.
Only one of the new operators is located outside the major commercial centres, operating from Owerri in Imo State.
The six newly licensed companies are:
- Intellvision Technologies Limited
- Granet Technologies Limited
- Fiber Sonic Limited
- Dasol Solution Services Ltd
- Boost ISP Limited
- Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited
Broadband Access Still Uneven
Despite the rise in licensed operators, NCC data highlights persistent geographic concentration in ISP operations.
Most providers remain clustered around Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, reflecting high infrastructure costs and stronger demand in urban areas.
This concentration continues to expose gaps in broadband access across many parts of the country.
Operators Raise Competition Concerns
The approval of new licences has renewed concerns among existing ISPs over competitive imbalance in the sector.
Industry stakeholders argue that smaller providers face mounting pressure in a market dominated by large mobile operators with deep capital, extensive infrastructure, and aggressive pricing strategies.
Without targeted regulatory support, they warn that many smaller ISPs may struggle to remain viable.
Subscriber Numbers Tell a Mixed Story
NCC figures show that out of licensed ISPs, only 133 reported active customer connections, with a combined subscriber base of 313,713 users.
Spectranet remains the largest ISP with 99,520 active subscribers, although its customer base declined for the second consecutive quarter.
Starlink continues to close the gap, growing from 59,509 subscribers in the first quarter of 2025 to 66,523 in the second quarter.
FibreOne ranked third with 37,117 active customers.
Competition Set to Intensify
With new ISP licences being issued and satellite broadband operators expanding rapidly, competition in Nigeria’s internet market is expected to intensify in the coming years.
While licensing activity continues to grow, operational strength remains concentrated in a few regions, raising questions about sustainability, access, and long-term market balance.
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