Will Starlink eventually become the largest ISP in Nigeria?

If there’s one thing that I hate, it’s slow internet. Nothing is more frustrating than buffering videos, dropped Zoom calls, or waiting forever for a simple web page to load.

Since launching in Nigeria two years ago, Starlink has gone from being the new kid on the block to Nigeria’s second-largest internet service provider (ISP). Unlike traditional ISPs that rely on fibre optics and wireless networks, Starlink beams internet straight from space. Its satellites orbit the Earth at low altitudes, providing high-speed internet in places where other providers struggle.

And boy, it’s growing fast. Starlink’s user base more than doubled in a year, jumping from 23,897 in 2023 to 65,564 by the end of 2024 – a 174% increase – almost doubling FiberOne's userbase, according to Q4 2024 data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as shown in the Techloy chart below.

Why Is Starlink Growing So Fast?

A big reason is speed and coverage. With almost 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit gloablly, the company is delivering speeds of up to 250 Mbps—way faster than what most Nigerian ISPs can offer. Compare that to Spectranet, which still leads the ISP market with 105,441 subscribers but has been losing customers—dropping from 113,869 at the end of 2023.

Other ISPs like Tizeti (18,881 subscribers), ipNX Nigeria (16,166), and VDT Communications (6,307) are still in the game, but none are growing as fast as Starlink.

Then there’s the issue of bad service from mobile networks and ISPs. Nigerians have long complained about poor internet quality from providers like MTN and Airtel, and Starlink offers an alternative—if you can afford it.

The Huge Gap Between ISPs and Mobile Internet

While Starlink is the fastest-growing ISP in Nigeria, and offers superior speed, it’s still a small player compared to mobile networks. As of January 2025, Nigeria had a staggering 169 million mobile internet users, compared to just 307,946 fixed broadband subscribers.

That means only 0.18% of Nigerian internet users rely on ISPs like Starlink, Spectranet, and FiberOne for their connection. The vast majority use mobile data from MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile—not because it’s better, but because it’s cheaper and more widely available.

Mobile networks operate through cell towers, meaning they can reach users anywhere there’s network coverage. In contrast, fibre-based ISPs struggle with expansion costs, and Starlink—while it covers more areas—is expensive.

Also, the service is fixed-location only—you can’t use it on the go like mobile internet. Although, SpaceX has started rolling out satellite-to-phone connectivity to eliminate mobile dead zones, but the feature hasn’t reached Africa yet.

Despite its high price – with a recent price hike to ₦75,000 for new customers–and fixed-location limitations, Starlink keeps gaining ground.

The demand for better internet is clear. Nigerians want better internet, and those who can afford it are willing to pay for faster, more stable connections. For now, Starlink is winning the ISP battle—but mobile networks are still the kings of Nigeria’s internet space.

The real question is: Will traditional ISPs and mobile providers step up, or will Starlink continue to change the game?