Nigeria’s fixed broadband sector has recorded its steepest decline in recent years, with total ISP subscribers dropping from 307,946 in Q3 2024 to 289,369 in Q1 2025, according to newly released data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The 6% drop, amounting to more than 18,500 lost users, comes as 18 licensed Internet Service Providers exited the market during the same period.
The contraction reflects mounting structural challenges in the sector, including high operational costs, limited infrastructure reach, and a growing preference for more affordable and accessible mobile internet services.
Among the hardest hit was FibreOne, a major fibre-to-the-home provider, which saw a 42.4% decline in its user base. Starlink, which had previously gained traction through its satellite service, recorded a 9% drop. Spectranet, Nigeria’s largest fixed wireless provider by subscriptions, lost 2.08% of its users over the period.
These losses point to the rising difficulty fixed broadband providers face in retaining subscribers amid price sensitivity and increasing competition from mobile operators.
Mobile internet access continues to dominate Nigeria’s broadband landscape. NCC data shows that active GSM subscriptions rose to 141.6 million in January 2025, up from 138.7 million a month earlier. Total active telecommunications lines, including GSM, fixed-line, and VoIP, stood at 219.3 million in January, marking a slight month-on-month increase.
While fixed wired and wireless subscriptions rose marginally from 113,754 in December to 122,260 in January, they still account for a small portion of the total market. VoIP subscriptions, which had declined in late 2024, edged up to 176,143 active users.
The NCC’s report also highlights stark disparities in broadband infrastructure. Of more than 200 licensed ISPs, only a few operate at scale. Spectranet runs 641 Points of Presence (POPs), while ipNX and Tizeti maintain 54 and 146 POPs, respectively. Starlink, despite its wide user base, operates with just one registered POP.
This concentration underscores persistent barriers to nationwide broadband expansion, especially in underserved and rural areas.
The latest figures signal a broadband sector in transition. While mobile services continue to grow, the fixed broadband segment is struggling to stay competitive. Without targeted regulatory reforms and investment in last-mile infrastructure, Nigeria’s fixed-line ISPs may continue to lose relevance, risking further entrenchment of the country’s digital divide.
