Elon Musk Starlink Surges to Become Nigeria’s Third-Largest Internet Service Provider
In a remarkable turn of events, Starlink, the internet company founded by Elon Musk, has emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) in terms of subscriber numbers in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023. According to the latest ISP data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Starlink’s active customers in Nigeria increased to 23,897 in Q4 of 2024, representing a 113% increase in customers quarter on quarter.
Key Highlights:
– Rapid Growth: Starlink’s customer base has grown significantly, with a 113% increase in customers quarter on quarter, making it one of the leading ISPs in the country.
– Market Position: Starlink has emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest ISP, trailing behind Spectranet, which maintains the top spot with 113,869 active customers, and FiberOne, which came second with 27,000 active users.
– ISP Landscape: There are a total of 245 companies licensed as ISPs in Nigeria, but only 106 of them had active customers as of Q4 2023, with a cumulative 262,206 active customers.
– Comparison with Mobile Network Operators: The number of internet customers of the four mobile network operators in the country (MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile) stands at 163.8 million, significantly higher than the ISP customer base.
– New Licenses: Seven new ISPs have been licensed so far this year, bringing the total number of licensed ISPs to 252.
– Pricing: Despite its higher costs compared to local ISPs, Starlink has sparked high interest among Nigerians, and the company recently announced a 45% price slash on its router to win more customers.
What You Should Know:
– Satellite Service: Starlink’s ubiquitous satellite service has encouraged people in areas with poor internet networks to opt for its services.
– Pre-Orders: Nigerians had been pre-ordering Starlink’s hardware since 2022, and the company initially quoted its prices in dollars before switching to naira upon its official announcement in Nigeria.
This development marks a significant milestone for Starlink in Nigeria, and its rapid growth is a testament to the increasing demand for reliable and fast internet services in the country.
