NCC Licenses Six New ISPs to Operate in Nigeria From January 2026
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved six new Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to operate in Nigeria, effective January 1, 2026, further intensifying competition in a broadband market already under pressure from mobile network operators.
The development was confirmed through the NCC’s updated licensing database, which shows a continued rise in the number of authorised ISPs despite shrinking customer bases and growing market concentration.
With the latest approvals, the total number of licensed ISPs in Nigeria has increased to 231, up from 225 recorded in December 2025.
New Licences Issued Amid Rising Competitive Pressure
The issuance of new licences comes at a challenging time for traditional ISPs, many of whom are struggling to compete with cheaper retail data offerings from major mobile network operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile.
Industry players are also facing disruption from satellite broadband services, particularly Starlink, which has expanded internet access in areas underserved by terrestrial networks.
List of Newly Licensed ISPs
According to NCC data, the six newly licensed companies are:
- Intellvision Technologies Limited
- Granet Technologies Limited
- Fibre Sonic Limited
- Dasol Solution Services Ltd
- Boost ISP Limited
- Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited
Five of the new licensees are headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria’s main commercial hub, while only one is located outside the major urban centres, operating from Owerri in Imo State.
ISP Operations Remain Concentrated in Major Cities
NCC licensing data shows a heavy geographic concentration of ISP operations in a few urban centres, particularly Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
This clustering reflects high infrastructure deployment costs, stronger demand in metropolitan areas, and ongoing challenges in extending broadband connectivity to rural and underserved regions.
While the number of licensed ISPs continues to grow, the data suggests that actual market participation remains uneven, with operational strength still concentrated in a handful of regions.
Smaller ISPs Warn of Market Imbalance
The latest licensing approvals come amid increasing concerns from existing operators over the competitive imbalance between small ISPs and dominant mobile network operators.
Industry players argue that without targeted regulatory safeguards, smaller providers may struggle to survive in a market shaped by scale, capital intensity, and aggressive pricing strategies.
“You cannot fight the big player; that is the reality; what we are asking for is a way to work harmoniously, where everyone gets a piece of the pie,” said Chidi Ibisi, Executive Director, Business Development at Broadbased Communications Ltd.
Ibisi warned that dominant operators could edge smaller ISPs out of the market, not necessarily through unfair practices, but through sheer investment capacity and nationwide reach.
Broadband Growth Still Uneven Despite Rising Licences
While the NCC continues to issue new ISP licences, analysts note that licensing growth has not yet translated into balanced broadband distribution nationwide.
The persistent concentration of ISPs in major cities underscores the need for policy incentives, infrastructure sharing frameworks, and targeted support to encourage expansion into underserved regions.
As competition intensifies from mobile operators and satellite broadband providers, the sustainability of smaller ISPs is expected to remain a key issue in Nigeria’s evolving internet market.
