“The rising costs of data, equipment, and power supply mean many families… have to cut costs,” said Jide Awe.
Nigeria’s top internet service providers, including Starlink and Spectranet, have seen significant declines in customer numbers as users cut spending.
NCC data show active ISP customers fell to 289,369 in Q1 2025, down from 307,946 in Q3 2024.
Starlink, the second-largest ISP last year, recorded its first customer loss, dropping from 65,564 to 59,509 subscribers. Spectranet also fell by over 2,000 customers, while FibreOne saw the steepest drop, losing more than 14,000 users.
Industry analysts blame rising costs, economic hardship, and competition from mobile network operators (MNOs) offering cheaper, flexible broadband.
“The rising costs of data, equipment, and power supply mean many families and small businesses have to cut costs,” said Jide Awe, tech policy advisor.
ATCON President Tony Emoekpere cited mobile networks’ move into Fiber to the Home (FTTH) as a threat to smaller ISPs.
Despite ISP losses, MNOs retained 142 million subscriptions by March 2025.