They expressed their views at the Telecom Sector Sustainability Forum third edition (TSSF 3.0) organised by Business Remarks themed “Starlink: A Threat or Prospect to the Sustainability of Nigeria ISPs, MNOs and Infracos”, held in Lagos.

Acknowledging the fact that the emergence of Starlink has re-introduced satellite internet technology to the market space, Nigeria ICT stakeholders however noted that the telecoms regulator needs to address the business model to protect local players and create healthy competition.

Recall, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink announced its availability in Nigeria, months after it signed an agreement with the Nigerian government to bring in its satellite-based internet coverage, thereby, making Nigeria the first African country to use satellite internet and 46th in the world.

The public believes that the introduction of Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink will widen competition in the Nigerian internet market while disrupting the internet market.

Starlink was included alongside 37 other Internet Service Providers, increasing the number of ISPs issued licenses to operate in Nigeria to 255 as of September 2022, up from the 187 reported in December 2021.

Speaking at TSSF 3.0, Muyiwa Ogungboye, eStream Network Chief Executive Officer, who was ably represented by Mr Martins Akingba, the Chief Operating Officer, stated that Starlink can be a threat to the local ISPs if the gaps found with the solutions are treated.

According to him, if the objective of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with Starlink’s introduction is to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and rural areas in the country, this solution will not serve the purpose. 

Stating that Starlink is not designed for the Nigerian rural market, Akingba highlighted pricing and lack of local and after-sales support as part of the reasons.

Furthermore, he said ISPs served both the retail and the enterprise markets. In his words “A lot of our enterprise market is already considering the solution but security is a major concern because they do not have an idea of how the traffic is being routed.

As an ISPs local player, the advent of Starlink makes us question if the regulator is really careful of the investments made by players in this industry, millions of naira have already been invested in infrastructures even in the underserved areas”.

– Muyiwa Ogungboye

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer, Pan African Towers, Azeez Amida who was represented by the General Counsel, Babatunde Olaniyan said Starlink might both be a threat and a prospect but the wide adoption of the 5G network in Nigeria will pose a greater challenge to the solution.

On his part, Mr Biodun Omoniyi, the Chief Executive Officer of VDT Communications, encouraged local players not to see the solution as a threat because Starlink is a leo-satellite, not too far fetch from the satellite technology. 

He posited that as a disruptor, local players need to identify the gaps and fix them to have an edge over the solution. 

There will definitely be some adjustment in the market, and not a case of the winner takes all kind of situation. Some people will take up the solution, some will continue to rely on their mobile devices for internet access and others will be for fixed wireless access. If this happens, the consumers are provided with alternatives.”

– Biodun Omoniyi

Although, he said being the first to launch is not really a big thing but is the industry, players and citizens are protected. Is the data accessible to the regulators, how do we do KYCs, and can the rural dwellers afford it, questions such as these need to be asked following the solution emergence in the Nigerian space.

Ominiyi charged the regulators to licence both the sellers, agents and providers to create a better ecosystem while encouraging operators to address their business models (pricing, positioning and support) to stay afloat and be profitable in the market.

Mr Lanre Olanrewaju, the Chief Executive Officer, Equinoxcore Technology, spoke on the challenges subscribers are facing such as loss of money, falling victim to fraud, poor signal quality due to poor installation, data loss, and irregularity in the cost of gadgets. 

According to him, the lack of physical office and after-sales support is a major concern for users and this challenge will continue to persist if there are no proper regulations around this. 

Lanre noted that the disruptive agenda might not be achieved. On contribution to the economy, he asked if the organisation pays VAT.

Expressing his concern, Mr Gbolahan Awonuga, the Head of Operations, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), said the licenses given to Starlink might lead to the extinction of ISPs and also the domination of the market space if not checkmate. 

Awonuga urged NCC to create a level playing field for operators bringing to remembrance the extinction of CDMA in the Nigerian Telecoms market. He also make case for affordable internet service for consumers.

In addition, Mr Ajibola Olude, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), stated that the regulatory safety might be weak, once there is no balancing game.

He also urged NCC to create guidelines to safeguard local players, edges on the value chain such as generating employment opportunities and restrictions in the rural areas.

On her part in her welcome address, the Convener, Bukola Olanrewaju who also doubles as the Managing Editor of Business Remarks stressed that given the internet’s increasingly important role as a communication tool, internet connectivity has become a vital component of daily life, and many nations have embarked on ambitious projects to expand and improve access to the internet.

“It is believed that the use of satellite technology in Nigeria dates back to the military era and also a known fact that satellites have played a fundamental role in providing connectivity.  In the last few years, the space industry has seen a rapid increase in satellite launches.

“Although Nigeria is regarded as Africa’s fastest-growing telecommunications market, its broadband penetration is largely dependent on fibre connectivity,” she said.

She recalled that at the first edition of the telecoms sector Sustainability Forum, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) noted that as a result of the challenges militating against ISPs, deliberate policies and regulations are being looked at in the Commission in ensuring that ISPs and other smaller players in the industry thrive. Olanrewaju stated further that it is on this basis that stakeholders and experts were assembled to dissect this edition’s theme.

An Internet Service Provider is a company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations.

ISPs may also provide software packages (such as browsers), e-mail accounts, and a personal website or home page. ISPs can host websites for businesses and can also build the websites themselves.

ISPs are all connected to each other through network access points, public network facilities on the Internet backbone.

ALSO READ: Nigeria’s Broadband Penetration Increases to 45.55% in October

In this report, TechEconomy looks at Top Internet Service Providers in Nigeria 2023 with emphasis on three key metrics – Connected Subscribers, Active Subscribers, and Points of Presence (POP).

A point of presence (PoP) is a demarcation point, access point, or physical location at which two or more networks or communication devices share a connection.

It is important to note that most of these ISPs offer enterprise services. Yes, we know you might as about the ‘big four’, namely; MTN, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile. These are primarily focused on individual subscribers. Meanwhile, these telecommunication companies now have Business segments that compete with the ISPs on Enterprise connectivity.

In a nutshell, the rise of commercial Internet services and applications helped fuel a rapid commercialization of the Internet.

The table below displays the number of subscribers per each individual leading internet service provider from the latest reporting to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

Top Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria 2023:

1. Spectranet Ltd

Spectranet is one of the Licensed ISPs by the Nigerian Communications Commission. It received the operating license in 2009 to promote Internet services across Nigeria. Spectranet was the first Internet Service Provider to launch 4G LTE internet service in Nigeria and aims to be a leader in the Internet Services space.

Customer Base: As at Q3 2022, it has 287,075 connected subscribers of which 115,103 are active. It boosts of 648 Points of Presence. You can contact Spectranet via the link HERE.

2. Tizeti Network Ltd                 

Tizeti is a fixed wireless broadband Internet service provider (ISP or WISP) operated by Tizeti Inc, using Wireless to provide unlimited internet to residential and small business customers in Africa. Tizeti currently operates within Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Port Harcourt, Benin, Oyo, and Accra. Tizeti operates on the 5.4GHz Wi-Fi and 3.5GHz 4G LTE bands, connecting its Solar Powered Towers to customer premise equipment on customer buildings. Wireless internet propagation is near line-of-sight, not penetrating buildings and windows. The customers connect to the service via wi-fi routers inside their building.

It is an ISP that has demoed 5G in Nigeria during its neXTGEN Tech Conference in 2021.

Customer base: According to statistics on NCC’s website, Tizeti has 39,410 connected subscribers, 18,243 active customers and 131 POP. Tizeti Nigeria Call Center: 01-2291000/ 09087493040.

3. ipNX Nigeria Ltd

ipNX is one of Nigeria’s fastest growing Information and Communications Technology companies, serving a multitude of needs across enterprises, small businesses and residents with innovative, world-class services.

Its strength lies in the team’s ability to identify, satisfy and exceed today’s market needs as has been demonstrated in over a decade of experience.

ipNX is a pioneer and a leading Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) operator in Nigeria, and currently provides a number of solutions to various industries and market segments using industry-leading technology (such as its very own Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) cable technology) as the core access network infrastructure and fixed wireless radio services (via licensed frequency).

The Internet Service provider also proffers complementary IT solutions, with a view of covering key commercial and suburban regions.

Customer base: ipNX has 19,068 Connected Subscribers, 13,104 active customers and 53 POP. To contact ipNX, follow the link here.

4. Astramix Ltd

With its office located at Zinna Court, 21 Mamman Nasir Street, Asokoro, FCT, Abuja – Astramix Limited is working to become the major Internet Broadband and Data provider in Nigeria.

The company deploys first class communication technology for reliable, uninterruptible and efficient top-of-the range data solutions in the market. With Grade ‘A’ brands as its exclusive sources of airtime, hardware and technology, Astramix is expanding its markets and operational bases to provide uninterrupted connectivity specifically to Nigeria’s Business and Private sectors.

Customer base:  Astramix has 15,040 connected subscribers. 15,040 of them are active at its 5 Points of Presence.

5. VDT Comms Ltd

VDT is one of the most awarded Internet Service Providers in Nigeria. As a licensed Private Network service provider, VDT specializes in the provision of Enterprise Wide Area Network (WAN) and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) link connectivity using Fiber Optic and Wireless Communication infrastructure and access networks.

VDT offers Broadband communication service to corporate organizations with leased Fiber Optic trunks to the thirty-six (36) states in Nigeria and the FCT, and counting with localised technical support staffers.

VDT is ISO 9001:2015 (Certificate #: BN5966/6288:0313) and ISO/IEC 20000-2018 certified organization (Certificate # ITMS 621838).

This confers the global mark of process quality standard compliance on our ability to meet and exceed customers’ requirements.

Customer base: Available statistics shows VDT communications has 12,767 connected subscribers,  7,294 active subscribers. Although, on NCC’s website, VDT has 59 Points of Presence, however, the company claims its POP increased to 145.

You can contact VDT by clicking this link.

6. Suburban Broadband Ltd          

Entered the Nigerian telecommunications market providing intelligence, statistical analysis, consultation and network services, with the intent to make a difference. It bBegan providing mobile phone companies with intercity and international transmission facilities, which established Suburban as an industry leader in this segment with 60% market share from 2003-06.

In less than 5 years the industry evolved to industry innovation leadership in advanced fiber technology, multimedia content distribution, and cloud platform services – a position it has been able to sustain over the last 20 years. Read more and contact Suburban Broadband here.

Customer base: The ISP has 6,354 Connected subscriber, 4,349 of them are active, and it has 6 POP.

7 Cyberspace Network Ltd

For more than 25 years Cyberspace Network has evolved from being just a startup providing Network solutions, to providing connectivity and later growing further to developing software solutions in the quest to solving as many problems as the team possibly can.

Through investing in people and technology in delivering exceptional customer service, its mission had always been to distinguish itself as a complete solutions provider in the industry, providing top-notch services to the customers and partners worldwide. You can contact them by sending email to: customercare@cyberspace.net.ng

Customer base: Cyberspace Network has 4,260 Connected Subscribers and all of them are Active subscribers. It provides services to the customers through 138 Points of Presence.

8. Cobranet Ltd

Cobranet currently offers corporate internet plans for organizations and medium sized businesses over a state- of- the -art -radio network in Lagos, Abuja and Major Cities as well as residential plans on a network topology which is rugged, dynamic and fully redundant with negligible downtimes.

The company provides reliable services to the Nigerian market and position ourselves as a leader in this sector. Know how to reach Cobranet by visiting the site.

Customer base: All Cobrantet’s 3,609 connected subscribers are Active across its 85 POP.

9. Radical Tech Network Ltd

Radical Technology Network Ltd was incorporated in Lagos, Nigeria on 08 Jan 2016 and licensed by the by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as an ICT company to offer Internet Service Providing.

Although its current status is unknown, however Radical Technology Network is believed to have metamorphosed to Coolink.ng located at PLOT 267A, Etim Inyang Crescent Victoria Island Lagos.

Customer base: NCC’s statistics shows that it has 2,641 Connected subscribers with 1,945 active subscribers and 6 POP.

10. Dotmac Technologies Ltd

Dotmac Technologies Ltd is among the top Internet Service Providers in Nigeria. Operating in Abuja, Dotmac Technologies delivers broadband internet via Fiber to the Home Technology. Established in 2008, the is an experienced ICT company with a wide range of services that are designed to improve and optimize the services of the clients. Dotmac Technologies customer care line is 019125161

Customer Base: It has 1,968 connected subscribers; 1,608 of them are active across its 27 POP.

11. Ngcom Ltd

Ngcom is a network company authorized by NCC to provide internet services across Nigeria. Ngcom Network Solutions is one of Nigeria ‘s leading Internet service providers offering Unlimited Internet service to residential and business users.

Its core business is to link you to what matters most to you, by offering limitless Internet access with absolutely no data or time caps through fiber optic and fixed wireless.

Ngcom has diligently pursued the mission to empower Nigerian businesses and families to interact with their environment through its unique services across the region.

Customer base: Ngcom has 1,931 connected subscribers and 1,401 are active. It has 10 POP.

12. MainOne, an Equinix Company

You know MainOne as an undersea cable company, right? You are not wrong. However, MainOne is one of the top Internet Service Providers in Nigeria. MainOne, an Equinix Company, is a leading West African data center and connectivity solutions provider with presence in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. MainOne provides highly reliable services to major telecom operators, ISPs, government agencies, small to large enterprises, and educational institutions. MDXi, a subsidiary of MainOne, builds and operates data centers across West Africa. MainOne’s office is located at FABAC Centre, 3b Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria or call: 0700 624 6663

Customer base:  with 1,486 connected and active subscribers, MainOne provides its ISP services across 51 POP.

13. Galaxy Backbone Limited

Galaxy Backbone Limited is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Services provider, wholly owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Galaxy Backbone continues to operate, improve and upgrade its common services platform to meet international standards. GBB’s initial major directive when it commenced operations in 2006 was to help reduce and completely eradicate the silos that had been in existence in government as a result of the diverse and expensive manner in which technology operations were delivered across the Ministries, Departments and Agencies. The company was also charged with the responsibility of building a common services platform consisting of in-country and offshore VSAT hubs, a data center, a Federal Capital metro fiber backbone and multiple redundant internet gateways.

A substantial amount of work has been done in this regard and recognizable impact noticed across the federal government agencies. While GBB can state there has been a lot of improvement in the way government communicates with government; with businesses, the international community and the entire citizenry, however there is still a lot more to be done. To contact GBB, send email via: ServiceDesk@galaxybackbone.com.ng​​ or DM on Social media @Galaxybackbone.

Customer base: GBB has 1,417 Connected subscribers. 1,417 of these subscribers are connected. Galaxy backbone has 118 Points of Presence.

14. Hyperia Ltd

Hyperia is a licensed Internet Service Providers in Nigeria. Hyperia as a member of CIS group of companies partners with YahClick (powered by Hughes) notable as one of the oldest names in the African Internet space, having achieved its license in Nigeria since 1997.

Hyperia has its corporate head office in Victoria, Lagos and branch offices in several cities in Nigeria.  CIS group, a prominent name in the IT space has its presence in 42 countries in Africa.

Range of services marketed include; Fiber optic and Vsat connectivity, Internet services consulting, E-mail services, VOIP and PABX services, Web development and hosting, LAN and WAN network Designs, Planning and Installation, Intranet and Virtual Private Network (VPN) implementation, Mini Hub supply, ISP design and setup, Microwave – Wifi – WiMax and VSAT Internet connections, and ERP and Security solutions. To contact Hyperia, send email via: info@ Hyperia.com.

Customer base:  Hyperia has 1,406 customers and all of them are active.               It has 8 Points of Presence.

15. I-World Networks Ltd

I-World Networks is rapidly expanding the Next Generation Fixed Wireless Internet connection for Home & Business with Reliable, Cost effective Unlimited internet service at a peak speed of 1Gbps real internet speed.

It specializes in offering internet services to Hotels with hundreds of customers on Wi-Fi connections each day, or an organization with real time ERP software or an Educational institution, they have it all tailor-made for you. Visit here to see how to contact I-World Networks.

Customer base: I-World Networks boasts of 1,327 Connected subscribers, 1,117 Active customers, and 3 Points of Presence.

16. Inq. Digital Nigeria Ltd (formerly Vodacom)

As a global leading-edge solutions provider, inq. prides itself in providing innovative, business-relevant services in Edge AI and IoT, Fabric, SDN/NFV for Edge Cloud, Secure Access Services Edge and Elastic Edge.

The company offers what they call ‘Lagos-Metro internet service’, a high-speed intracity solution which provides customers within Lagos very high data rates using an alternative medium to fiber.

This service is suitable for enterprises in the Oil & Gas sectors as well as banks who require a backhaul to their Disaster Recovery Centers, an interconnection with switching and clearing houses or their Contact center.

It is also ideal for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who need a POP to POP connection. With the Lagos-Metro internet service, customers within Lagos are guaranteed a high capacity bandwidth with the speed and reliability they need to manage their businesses and communicate without barriers. Contact: Depending on your location, you can contact Inq.Digital by visiting the link here.

Customer base: With 1,290 connected subscribers all active, Inq. Digital Nigeria Ltd has 92 Points of Presence.