The first phase of the exercise, which commenced at Toyin Street, Ikeja, and adjoining streets, revealed widespread cases of improperly deployed over-the-air fibre cables, with several cables found dangerously hanging on gates, utility poles, gutters, and bare floors.

Some of the exposed cables were observed to be live and hanging dangerously close to the ground, posing risks to public safety, environmental aesthetics, and telecom service quality.

Speaking during the exercise, Mr. Tunji Jimoh, Zonal Controller of the NCC Lagos Zonal Office, said the initiative forms part of nationwide efforts to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure and improve quality of service delivery.

Represented by Mr. Deji Roberts, Assistant Director at NCC, Jimoh expressed concern over the poor manner in which some telecom infrastructure had been deployed across parts of Lagos.

“The Commission is concerned about the manner these telecom infrastructures are deployed. Neglecting them exposes critical infrastructure to damage and can negatively impact quality of service delivery to subscribers,” he said.

He noted that the exercise is a national initiative currently piloted in Lagos State and commended LASIMRA for its collaboration and support toward sanitising the environment and ensuring proper infrastructure redeployment.

Jimoh also assured residents and subscribers that the cleanup and redeployment process would not disrupt telecom services within the affected areas.

Also speaking, Mr. Akinbiyi Akindipe, Head of Monitoring and Enforcement at LASIMRA, described the exercise as evidence of the Agency’s commitment to maintaining a “human-face” regulatory approach while ensuring compliance with infrastructure standards.

According to him, allowing telecom infrastructure to remain improperly deployed would continue to affect network service quality, public safety, and the urban environment.

“Lagos State under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu places high priority on the protection of critical national infrastructure. However, improper deployment of such infrastructure must be addressed,” he said.

Akindipe added that LASIMRA was giving operators, through ATCON, the opportunity to urgently correct identified infractions before enforcement actions become necessary.

He stressed that the Agency was not in a hurry to impose sanctions but insisted that operators must take immediate responsibility for redeploying infrastructure according to approved standards.

On his part, Mr. Segun Okuneye, chairman of the ATCON Clean-up Committee, said the exercise demonstrates the telecommunications industry’s commitment to supporting environmental sustainability and improving the aesthetics of Lagos State.

“The telecommunications industry remains committed to supporting initiatives that create a cleaner, safer, and more organised environment for residents and businesses across Lagos State,” he said.

Okuneye disclosed that ATCON would convene an urgent industry-wide stakeholders’ meeting to develop a comprehensive roadmap for correcting legacy infrastructure deployment issues and preventing future occurrences.

He further urged Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and telecom operators to strictly comply with laid-down infrastructure deployment procedures and assured regulators of ATCON members’ readiness to collaborate fully with NCC and LASIMRA throughout the exercise.

The cleanup exercise attracted participation from several telecom infrastructure and service providers, including Galaxy Backbone Limited, MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, FibreOne, TNL, ipNX, IHS Nigeria, OneData, African Data Centres, and other industry players.

The initiative is expected to continue across different parts of Lagos State as regulators and industry stakeholders intensify efforts to improve infrastructure standards, public safety, environmental orderliness, and telecom service reliability.

]]> https://techeconomy.ng/exclusive-ncc-lasimra-atcon-begin-telecom-infrastructure-cleanup-exercise-in-lagos/feed/ 0 https://techeconomy.ng/nigeria-losing-15bn-yearly-to-broadband-gap-fibreone-ceo/ https://techeconomy.ng/nigeria-losing-15bn-yearly-to-broadband-gap-fibreone-ceo/#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2025 06:05:19 +0000 https://techeconomy.ng/?p=163875 Nigeria is losing an estimated $15 billion every year due to a persistent broadband access gap, according to Lanre Ore, Chief Executive Officer of FibreOne, a broadband service provider.

Speaking on the topic; “Rewriting the Digital Playbook: The Rise of Broadband as a Tech Game Changer”, Ore who spoke through Yinka Isioye, the company’s chief experience officer, at the Titans of Tech Conference 2025 in Lagos, described broadband as “as essential as oxygen” and a critical enabler of modern digital economies, impacting sectors such as education, healthcare, fintech, SMEs, and smart cities.

“Over 60% of Nigerians and more than 70% of Africans still lack reliable broadband access. This exclusion is costing us dearly, in GDP, innovation, jobs, and human potential,” Ore said.

Ore shared a personal anecdote about missing a life-changing opportunity due to poor internet, underscoring the real-world impact of limited connectivity. He pointed out that Nigeria’s internet speeds are 5–10 times slower and up to 4 times more expensive per Mbps compared to developed markets.

Citing the World Bank, he emphasized that a 10% increase in broadband penetration can boost GDP by 1.4% in developed nations. For Nigeria, a 30% increase in broadband coverage could unlock at least $19 billion in value, with a possible GDP multiplier effect of over $45 billion annually.

“The $15 billion we lose yearly due to the broadband gap is nearly four times the nation’s combined health and education budgets,” he said. “That’s equivalent to the yearly federal allocation of an entire state.”

Barriers to Broadband Growth

Ore outlined the challenges stifling broadband expansion as exorbitant fiber rollout costs of $30,000–$50,000 per km due to civil works, RoW charges, security and local levies; unstable power supply, with up to 40% of ISP OPEX going into diesel and alternative energy, and low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), $10–$20 in Nigeria versus $50 in developed markets, making ROI timelines less attractive to investors.

Despite the hurdles, he praised ISPs and MNOs for continued innovation and investment, and acknowledged government efforts led by President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in steering Nigeria toward a digital-first economy.

Ore proposed several bold strategies to close the gap such as mobilizing pension funds and local capital for long-term broadband infrastructure financing; encouraging shared rural fiber consortia and MNO/ISP resource pooling, and promoting community networks, solar-powered micro base stations, and MVNOs for rural delivery.

“Launch ‘Broadband for Jobs’ schemes, offering tax incentives to ISPs delivering discounted access to unemployed youths undergoing digital skills training.

“Broadband is not just about cables; it’s about life-changing connectivity. It empowers education, innovation, inclusion, and national transformation,” Ore concluded.

In his opening address, Don Pedro Aganbi, convener of the Titans of Tech Conference, emphasized the event’s mission as a convergence of government, innovators, and private sector leaders.

“Our goal is to create a platform where policies meet practical insights, and where bold ideas about shaping Nigeria’s digital future can thrive,” Aganbi said.

He described this year’s theme, “Game Changers: Shaping the Future of Technology”, as a call to action for those daring enough to disrupt norms, reimagine solutions, and accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

Let’s take a look at some companies in charge of this space; FibreOne and Spectranet, two giants of Nigeria’s ISP sector with radically different philosophies. 

One is building a fixed fibre network from the ground up, the other is surfing the LTE airwaves with mobile routers and data caps. But when we stripped away the marketing tactics and looked at the real numbers, the gap was startling.

By Q1 2025, FibreOne’s subscriber base had plummeted by 42.4%, down from 33,010 to just 19,000, a collapse that says even fibre fans are switching lanes. 

Meanwhile, Spectranet tried to hold its ground with over 103,000 active users, barely flinching with a 2% dip. FibreOne claims to have bounced back to over 60,000 subscribers by June, but the damage to confidence, and public perception, may take longer to repair.

Beyond a product comparison, this is a clash of philosophies. Do you want unthrottled speed in a few neighbourhoods, or portable flexibility that slows down the more you use it? It’s not limited to who’s faster, but who’s failing you less.

Market Footprint and Subscriber Strength

Let’s start with reach, because where you live still determines the kind of internet you get.

FibreOne, Nigeria’s largest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) provider, operates in just 12 Points of Presence (POP)—mainly in high-density zones of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ilorin. 

As of Q1 2025, its NCC-reported subscriber base dropped by 42.4%, from 33,010 to 19,000, largely due to economic challenges and high competition from mobile broadband. 

However, internal sources reveal a strong rebound, pushing active subscribers back up to 60,000+ by the end of June 2025.

By contrast, Spectranet tops the wireless broadband market, operating in 641 POPs and maintaining a subscriber base of 103,252, the largest among ISPs in Nigeria. 

Its model thrives on mobility and 4G LTE flexibility, although it also reports a minor 2.08% dip in active users from the previous quarter. While FibreOne fights for the top spot in fibre-rich urban pockets, Spectranet wins on footprint and presence.

Technology and Infrastructure

FibreOne runs exclusively on optical fibre, delivering high-capacity FTTH connectivity. This enables users to enjoy unthrottled, low-latency internet, a major edge for gamers, streamers, remote workers, and SMEs. It is not mobile, but it’s powerful where available.

Spectranet takes a different approach. Its 4G LTE service offers plug-and-play internet via MiFi, routers, car Wi-Fi, and outdoor modems. While speed depends on network congestion and signal strength, the ease of setup and wide range of devices make it ideal for people who are always on the move—or outside fibre coverage zones.

Bottom line?

• FibreOne offers speed and stability.
• Spectranet delivers flexibility and convenience.
  Your needs define your winner here.

Speed, Performance and Data Integrity

On pure performance, FibreOne takes the lead. Users frequently commend its consistent speeds, especially for data-intensive tasks. Its infrastructure supports up to 500 Mbps, truly unlimited with zero data caps or throttling.

Spectranet, though versatile, enforces a Fair Usage Policy (FUP). Speeds are reduced after data thresholds, typically 125GB, with post-FUP speeds dropping to 512kbps. This can be frustrating for users who consume large volumes of data.

Still, Spectranet performs respectably in urban areas, particularly where fibre has not yet reached. However, speed is dependent on environmental factors: weather, congestion, and signal strength.

Pricing and Affordability

Let’s talk naira and kobo.

• FibreOne plans start from ₦13,807/month for 25 Mbps. These are truly unlimited, no throttling or surprises. It’s best for homes or offices with multiple heavy users.
• Spectranet’s plans begin around ₦18,999/month, but include data caps. Once you hit the FUP limit, your browsing speed slows significantly. However, its flexible device options, MiFis, routers, car Wi-Fi, offer portability.

For users who want predictability and value, FibreOne’s pricing wins. For those who need on-the-go access, Spectranet’s hardware options justify the price.

Customer Service and User Experience

Neither brand is perfect here.

FibreOne earns applaud for its installation professionalism and consistent speeds. However, many users complain about slow customer support, installation delays, and infrastructure-related outages. Accusations of unfulfilled promises have dented its integrity in certain circles.

Spectranet, on the other hand, gets high marks for device support, service availability, and customer experience within LTE zones. Yet, it also faces complaint, mostly for its speed throttling and lack of transparency around FUP limits.

FibreOne ranked #1 in customer satisfaction in the 2024 NCSI survey, while Spectranet swept awards for “Most Reliable ISP” and “User-Friendly Brand” at NiTA 2024. In essence, users trust FibreOne’s speed, but expect better service. Spectranet users expect average speed, but trust the experience.

Value-Added Services and Differentiators

Spectranet’s strength is variety:

• MiFi devices for mobile users
• CarFi for internet on the go
• Home routers and VoLTE combos
• Parental controls, URL filters, and app-based monitoring

FibreOne’s value lies in infrastructure:

• Unlimited fibre plans (25–500 Mbps)
• Custom SME and enterprise packages with SLAs
• On-site installation, premium support
• Future-ready for 4K streaming, low-latency gaming, and remote work

If you value hardware-based mobility, Spectranet gives you the tools. If you value performance and depth, FibreOne is the infrastructure play.

Reputation, Recognition, and Resilience

FibreOne was recognised by the NCC in Q4 2023 as Nigeria’s top FTTH provider, featured at GITEX Africa 2025, and commended for supporting the 3MTT initiative. However, its Q1 2025 subscriber decline led to questions about long-term sustainability in the face of mobile broadband competition.

Spectranet, meanwhile, wears its awards like armour. From ISP of the Year (2025) to Broadband Leader and Most Reliable ISP, its reputation is market-tested and customer-backed. It has scaled by being agile, reliable, and affordable for a wider audience.

Summary: Side-by-Side Comparison

So… FibreOne or Spectranet?

If you need unlimited, stable, high-speed internet for work, business, or entertainment, and you live in one of the covered zones, FibreOne is the clear winner. It’s fast, cost-effective, and future-ready.

But if you need flexible, portable internet access with a variety of device options and broader national reach, Spectranet remains a reliable alternative, just watch your data consumption.

In the end, both providers are fighting different battles in the same war: FibreOne is building the roads, Spectranet is selling the cars. Your choice depends on what kind of journey you’re on.

This is the steepest decline among Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country, pointing to the widening gap between the promises of broadband expansion and the challenging market realities these providers face.

Between Q3 2024 and Q1 2025, FibreOne’s subscriber base fell from 33,010 to just over 19,000, according to data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). 

This happened as ISPs collectively shed over 18,000 users and 18 companies exited the market. While Starlink declined by 9% and Spectranet by 2.08%, FibreOne’s near-collapse stands out.

Several forces converged to drive this drop, chief among them being Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions. A 50% increase in telecom tariffs approved in February 2025, coupled with rising diesel prices, FX imbalance, and expensive infrastructure, has pushed fixed broadband beyond the reach of many households and businesses. For FibreOne and others, this has turned retention into an uphill battle.

Mobile networks, meanwhile, have stayed untouched. MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile collectively hold over 141.9 million internet users as of April 2025. Their edge? Affordability, accessibility, and increasing forays into Fibre to the Home (FTTH), where they’re now challenging traditional ISPs with flexible pricing and wider reach.

But FibreOne’s downfall exposes a lack of strategy, poor adaptability, and the absence of policy support. Telecom analyst Jide Awe told TechCabal: “ISPs like FibreOne are feeling the full weight of Nigeria’s economic realities.”

Awe believes there’s still a path forward if ISPs adapt. “They should consider bundling services, target underserved sectors like education and healthcare, and invest in solar solutions to cut operating costs,” he said.

FibreOne is not alone in this struggle, but it may be the most visible casualty of an ecosystem in retreat. While mobile data has become the default for most Nigerians, the downside is becoming more obvious, mobile internet cannot handle the demands of e-learning, telemedicine, enterprise networking, or institutional-scale connectivity.

Diseye Isoun, CEO of Content Oasis, offered a more structural critique: “At the end of the day, ISPs are treated as peripheral, but they are critical to the broadband ecosystem—especially for schools, hospitals, and local businesses. What’s missing is policy—not just investment—that ensures ISPs can serve strategic access points.”

Isoun advocates a model inspired by Brazil’s Telebras—government-backed partnerships with vetted ISPs to guarantee broadband in priority sectors. It’s a contrast to Nigeria’s market-driven approach, which continues to choke out smaller ISPs and leaves critical institutions under-connected.

The data reflects this squeeze. In Q4 2023, Nigeria had 252 licensed ISPs; only 106 were active. By Q1 2025, licensed ISPs had dropped to 234, with just 127 operational. The gap between those with licences and those who can afford to stay in business is increasing.

The situation with Starlink further complicates matters. Initially celebrated as a game-changer for remote connectivity, Starlink has faced underwhelming adoption. Its monthly fees rose from ₦38,000 to ₦57,000 in early 2025, pricing out average users. 

A Starlink retailer confirmed the retreat: “Many Nigerians are cutting down on their subscriptions. I know a couple of people who have scaled down on the subs.”

As the broadband market thins out, what remains is a fragmented sector, over-reliant on mobile operators, with serious implications for national digital capacity.

Nnamdi Richards, a telecom expert, suggested structural reform: “We may need a solution similar to what was done with the banking sector: mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, SEC listings. That could help stabilise some of them financially.”

He also pointed to seasonal risks ISPs now face: “We’re in the rainy season now, and lightning strikes and flooded communities. This is a nightmare for small ISPs without the capacity to cope.”

Without urgent reforms, strategic partnerships, and smarter pricing, Nigeria risks sidelining an important pillar of its digital sustainability.