Spectranet leads with 100,000 subscriber as Nigerian ISPs end 2025 with 352k users

Spectranet Limited has further cemented its lead as Nigeria’s leading internet service provider (ISP) with 108,525 subscribers as of 2025. The development signifies the return of Spectranet to the 100k-mark class. 

Industry data released on Wednesday by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), with updated data for Q4 2025, showed that ISPs’ active subscribers have now reached 352,006. The surge, from the recent 313,713 subscribers in Q2 2025, signals growth despite most Nigerians continuing to rely on mobile internet services.

Wireless internet subscribers accounted for 243,608 users, while wired connections stood at 108,398.

Closely following Spectranet in the top five ISPs is Elon Musk’s Starlink with 91,991 subscribers. FibreOne Broadband Limited is third with 44,413 subscribers, then iPNX Nigeria Limited at 15,416 subscribers and Tizeti Network Limited with 12,000 users.

Other notable ISPs, in terms of subscribers, are Broadbased Communications Limited – 10,448, Ngcom Limited – 6,917, VDT Communications – 4,479 and Cyberspace Network Limited – 4,087.

Of the over 120 Internet Service Providers in Nigeria, the top five accounted for 80.3% of the total subscriber base, representing the continued expansion of big players at the expense of small companies. 

With others squeezing for 19.7%, it places more doubt on room for small ISPs to keep up with the big companies. Also, their growth tends to decline as fewer customers mean less money for maintenance, infrastructure, upgrades and expansion.

Arguably, the internet space is expensive, considering operation cost on fibre, diesel, spectrum, bandwidth and right-of-way. In fact, most of the small operators’ revenue ends up in the pockets of larger providers owing to payment for infrastructure sharing and infrastructural dependence.

The scenario leaves subscribers with fewer alternatives, as they can only opt for the available ones in their area.

Also Read: Legend Internet slips to N99 million loss in 2025 ahead of Spectranet merger.

A fair end to 2025 for Internet Service Providers 

The latest data reveals that Nigerian ISP customers are starting to adjust to the change in price experienced in the industry in the first half of 2025. 

Following the 50% telecoms tariff adjustments, most ISPs adjusted their pricing, citing rising operational costs fueled by forex pressure and import costs. However, the result of that shift negatively impacted the industry. 

In Q1 2025, about 18,000 users left the ISP space as the surge in subscriptions coincided with financial pressures and unstable market outcomes. Starlink saw a 14% drop, Spectranet saw a 2.08% fall in subscriber base, while FibreOne saw the biggest drop at 42.4%.

While total subscribers reached 313,113, some players experienced a decrease in customers in Q2 2025. Spectranet’s active users stood at 99,520, a drop from the 103,252 customers it recorded in Q1 2025, the second consecutive decline. Elon Musk’s Starlink closed in at 66,523.