NCC Licenses New ISPs as Broadband Competition Deepens

Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator has approved six additional Internet Service Providers, further intensifying competition in a broadband market already facing pressure from mobile network operators and satellite internet services.

Regulatory data indicates that the new approvals have pushed the total number of licensed ISPs in the country to 231, reflecting steady licensing activity despite consolidation and shrinking customer bases among existing operators.

Most of the newly licensed providers are based in Lagos, reinforcing the continued concentration of broadband infrastructure in major urban centres. Only one of the new entrants operates outside Nigeria’s primary commercial hubs, highlighting persistent gaps in nationwide broadband distribution.

Industry analysts say traditional ISPs are increasingly squeezed by aggressive pricing from mobile network operators, as well as growing competition from satellite broadband providers offering wider coverage and faster deployment, particularly in underserved areas.

Operators have raised concerns that without targeted regulatory safeguards, smaller ISPs may struggle to compete against larger players with stronger capital bases and nationwide reach.

Telecom experts argue that the future of the ISP sub-sector will depend not only on infrastructure investment but also on innovation in service delivery, customer experience and value-added offerings that go beyond basic internet access.

As competition evolves from terrestrial networks to satellite-based platforms, stakeholders say regulatory balance will be crucial to ensure fair participation while expanding broadband access across the country.