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The Digest:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued licenses to six new Internet Service Providers (ISPs), effective January 1, 2026, increasing the total number of licensed ISPs in Nigeria to 231. According to Nairametrics, five of the new operators are based in Lagos, while one is located in Owerri. The licenses come at a time when traditional ISPs face stiff competition from mobile network operators (MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile) and satellite providers like Starlink, which has grown rapidly since its 2023 launch. Industry stakeholders warn that without regulatory safeguards, smaller ISPs may struggle against larger players with greater scale and investment power.

Key Points:
  • Increased competition may drive innovation and potentially lower prices for broadband consumers in urban areas.
  • Smaller ISPs risk being marginalised by dominant mobile operators and well-funded satellite entrants like Starlink and Amazon Kuiper.
  • Licensing more ISPs does not automatically improve rural broadband access, as deployment remains concentrated in major cities.
  • Regulatory focus may need to shift toward ensuring a level playing field and encouraging infrastructure sharing.
  • The entry of global satellite providers highlights demand for high-speed internet in underserved and remote regions.

Sources: Nairametrics