While Mobile Network Operates such as MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, Globacom serve individual mobile users, the ISPs, operating in their own licence domain different from the mobile network operators, are serving mainly corporate organisations and homes.
Therefore, the list of top Internet Service Providers (ISPs) here does not include Mobile Network Operators.
According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, the total number of active internet subscribers rose to 159,498,826 in Q2 2023 from 151,332,090 reported in Q2 2022 representing 5.40% increase year on year and 1.24% quarter-on-quarter growth.
The NBS further stated that MTN got the highest number of subscribers in Q2 of 2023 making the top most internet provider in Nigeria
“Also, however, MTN had the highest share of subscriptions in Q2 2023,” NBS.
The ranking of the top 10 Internet Service Providers in Nigeria is based on the number of customers as of Q2 2023
Read also: Kano Overtakes Lagos as Nigeria's City with Fastest Internet Speed
List of Top 10 Internet Services Providers in Nigeria, 2022
- Spectranet
- Tizeti
- IPNX
- VDT Communications
- Cyberspace Network Ltd
- 21st Century Ltd
- Suburban Broadband Ltd
- Cobranet Ltd
- Astramix Limited
- Radical Technology Network Ltd
1. Spectranet
Spectranet was among the first Internet Service Providers to launch 4G LTE internet service in Nigeria and grown to be a leader in the Internet Services space.
Licensed to provide internet services in Nigeria in 2009 by Nigerian Communications Commission, Spectranet now has the largest connected and active customers out of all the licensed ISPs, according to data by NCC. The company has 260,725 connected customers with 121, 281 customers being active. The company has physical presence in 630 locations across Nigeria.
2. Tizeti
Tizeti is the second-largest ISP in Nigeria in terms of the subscriber base. Tizeti’s total connected subscribers as of Q1 2022 stood at 29, 397 while active customers are 17,438.
Tizeti is an internet services provider across Africa. It provides high-speed broadband internet to Residences, businesses, Events, and Conferences and deploys public Wi-fi Hotspots at locations. It leverages the large wireless capacity available with Wi-fi and plummeting the cost of solar panels to create a low CAPEX/OPEX network of owned & operated towers to offer disruptive, customer-friendly pricing for unlimited internet service right across Africa.
The Tizeti has points of presence in 126 locations.
3. IPNX
ipNX occupies the third position in terms of customer numbers among licensed ISPs in Nigeria. The company is one of the country’s fastest-growing ISPs, serving a multitude of needs across enterprises, small businesses, and residents with innovative, world-class services.
As a pioneer and a leading Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) operator in Nigeria, IPNX as of Q1 this year had 17, 499 connected subscribers, while 12, 516 of those customers were active. Its points of presence are in 53 locations.
4. VDT Communications
VDT is a licensed Private Network service provider specialising in the provision of Enterprise-Wide Area Network (WAN) and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) link connectivity using Fiber Optic and Wireless Communication infrastructure and access networks. VDT is a Broadband communication service provider to corporate organizations with leased Fiber Optic trunks to the thirty-six (36) states in Nigeria and the FCT, where they have 59 Point-Of-Presence (POP) and complement of technical support staffers.
From 8th position in our previous ranking, the company climbed to number 4 in Q1 2022 as it gained more customers. According to the NCC’s data, VDT had 11,216 total connected subscribers with 7, 146 active users.
5. Cyberspace Network Limited
Cyberspace was founded in 1995 and commenced operation the same year as a wholly-owned Nigerian Company. With a mission to provide excellent value-added ICT services and cutting-edge networking solutions, the company has been able to distinguish itself as a complete network and software solution provider in the industry with its state-of-the-art and world-class internet protocol(IP) infrastructure.
In 2014, the company deployed its 4G LTE network infrastructure with a promise to deliver 10x more speed, mobility, and security to its customers. According to NCC’s database, Cyberspace as of Q1 2022, had 3,593 connected customers and all of them were actively subscribed. The ISP is present in 138 locations across Nigeria.
6. 21st Century Ltd
21st Century Technologies Limited is a Licensed Information Communications and Technology Services Provider in Nigeria incorporated in 1997. The company owns and operates one of the most extensive optical fibre cable metropolitan networks in Nigeria with speeds up to 10Gbps, high-speed Corporate Dedicated Internet Access and IRUs for a total of 10Gbps, and fully redundant International subsea fibre capacity with two separate vendors.
As of Q1 2022, it had 5,296 customers out of which 2,571 were actively subscribed to its service. The ISP had a presence in 50 places.
7. Suburban Broadband Ltd
Suburban Broadband Ltd is a next-generation multimedia service provider with fibre optics networks in major cities in Nigeria, including Lagos and Abuja. Its products include subscription access to premium content, TV, Internet and Voice services, as well as connected homes, security, and utility management solutions.
The ISP, which was number 7 in our Q4 2021 review gained new customers to become number 6 in the Q1 2022 ranking. The company had 4,435 connected customers and all of them were active. It, however, had only 3 points of presence.
8. Cobranet Limited
Launched in 2003, Cobranet Limited is rated as a leading Internet Service and data provider in Nigeria. The company provides every segment of the Nigerian society with a reliable and secure Internet Service and Data management solution to the digital universe.
Cobranet currently offers corporate internet plans for organisations and medium-sized businesses over a state-of-the-art -radio network in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt as well as residential plans. The company has 3526 subscribers and interestingly all of them are active, thus achieving 100 per cent customer activeness. The company has presence in 84 locations.
9. Astramix Limited
Astramix Limited is a provider of fast and reliable uninterruptible data and internet broadband. The company says it uses first-class communication technology and has the most reliable, uninterruptible, and efficient top-of-the-range data solutions in the market.
With Grade ‘A’ brands as its exclusive sources of airtime, hardware, and technology, the ISP is expanding its markets and operational bases to provide uninterrupted connectivity specifically to Nigeria’s Business and Private sectors.
As of Q1 2022, its connected customers stood at 2,040 and all of them were actively connected. The company had 5 points of presence.
10. Radical Technology Network Ltd
Radical Technology Network Ltd is a Nigerian ISP with its head office located in Lagos and with presence in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Onitsha. Over the years, the company has ensured the highest levels of customer responsiveness and service quality, a trait that has earned it a long-standing relationship with its customers and made it one of the most reliable ISPs in Nigeria.
A total of 1,852 customers were subscribing to the ISP’s service as of Q1 2022 and all of them are active. The company had 6 points of presence.