NCC licenses six new ISPs to operate in Nigeria from January 1, 2026, as competition intensifies in a market dominated by mobile network operators and satellite providers. The new entrants—Intellvision Technologies, Granet Technologies, Fiber Sonic, Dasol Solution Services, Boost ISP, and Amazon Kuiper Nigeria—push the total number of licensed ISPs to 231, up from 225 in December 2025.
Most of the new ISPs are based in Lagos, with only Amazon Kuiper operating outside major commercial hubs in Owerri, Imo State. The licensing expansion comes amid growing pressure from cheaper mobile data packages from MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, as well as competition from satellite broadband providers like Starlink.
Industry experts warn that smaller ISPs may struggle to compete. Chidi Ibisi, Executive Director at Broadbased Communications, said, “You cannot fight the big player; the reality is we need a way to work harmoniously, where everyone gets a piece of the pie.” He highlighted that dominant operators’ nationwide reach and investment capacity could marginalize smaller providers.
Kehinde Joda of FibreOne noted that the sector faces high infrastructure costs and challenges in differentiating offerings beyond basic Internet access. “Innovation is more than technology; it’s about how you design packages, manage customers, and adapt to changing needs,” he said.
The market is also seeing a shift toward satellite broadband. Starlink, which launched in Nigeria in 2023, has already become the second-largest ISP by customer count, and Amazon Kuiper’s entry is expected to intensify competition further. The NCC described the licensing of Amazon Kuiper as a response to rising demand for high-speed connectivity in underserved areas.
Market data show increasing concentration around a few major players. As of Q2 2025, Spectranet, Starlink, and FibreOne accounted for roughly 65% of active ISP customers, despite the total number of licensed providers exceeding 125. Analysts expect the new licenses and aggressive satellite expansion to accelerate competitive pressures and broaden broadband access across Nigeria.
