How Starlink Became Nigeria’s Top 3 Internet Providers in Late 2023

Elon Musk’s Starlink has quickly become one of Nigeria’s leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs), shaking up the local telecommunications landscape. By the close of 2023, Starlink not only made a significant mark but also became the third-largest ISP in the country, as per the latest figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Starting from a modest customer base, Starlink’s journey in Nigeria saw its subscriber numbers swell to an impressive 23,897 by the fourth quarter of 2023. This marks a staggering 113% growth from the third quarter of the same year when it had 11,207 customers. 

The NCC’s report says that out of 245 licensed ISPs in Nigeria at the end of 2023, only 106 had active users in the fourth quarter. Together, these ISPs served a total of 262,206 customers—a fraction compared to the massive 163.8 million internet subscriptions managed by the four major mobile network operators: MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile.

Despite the higher costs, Starlink has managed to carve out a niche for itself. It appeals particularly to those in regions plagued by unreliable internet, offering a beacon of connectivity thanks to its satellite technology. In a bold move to further penetrate the market, Starlink slashed the prices of its routers by 45% last month, bringing the cost down from N800,000 to N440,000. This strategic price adjustment is aimed at making its services more accessible, although its monthly subscription fee remains at N38,000.

Since its official launch in Nigeria in January 2023, Starlink has seen a fervent uptake among consumers, many of whom had pre-ordered its hardware back in 2022. Initially priced in dollars, the company switched to naira pricing post-launch, aligning more closely with local economic realities. This adjustment, along with its robust technology, positions Starlink as a formidable force in Nigeria’s internet sector.