Today, the importance of connecting with people and businesses via the internet cannot be overstated, which is why ISPs exist to assist in delivering the necessary network service to access the internet for social networking, business, schoolwork, or any other purpose that people require the internet for.
This article discusses some of the best internet service providers in Nigeria you should consider. Our list of the Best Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in 2023 includes organizations that provide fiber, cable, microwave, and other services. Having internet speed issues? Are you getting the internet speed you are paying for? Read our guide to know more.
The world is now one giant transnational town and the significance of having dependable internet service, especially in Nigeria today to connect with many people and businesses is something that cannot be overemphasized, that is why ISPs are there to help deliver the needed network service to access the internet for social networking, business, school work or any other purpose that people require the internet for.
What is an ISP? An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet. Internet service providers can be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned. Internet service providers offer online access with a variety of technologies, speeds, and prices.
According to research conducted by Ookla speed test – ipNX was the fastest fixed broadband provider among top providers in Nigeria in Q1 2022 with a median download speed of 21.34 Mbps. Calculating median latency for top fixed broadband providers in Nigeria during Q1 2022, KKONTech had the lowest latency at 4 ms. In measuring the consistency of each fixed broadband provider’s performance, we found that ipNX had the highest Consistency Score in Nigeria during Q1 2022, with 45.9% of results showing at least a 25 Mbps minimum download speed and a 3 Mbps minimum upload speed.
Top 10 ISPs | Median Download Speed | Median Latency |
---|---|---|
ipNX | 21.34Mbps | 5ms |
KKONTech | 15.09Mbps | 4ms |
Glo | 12.16Mbps | 16ms |
Airtel | 11.90Mbps | 31ms |
Spectranet | 11.46Mbps | 33ms |
MTN | 8.48Mbps | 24ms |
SWIFT Networks | 6.71Mbps | 20ms |
Cobranet | 6.60Mbps | 18ms |
Tizeti | 4.86Mbps | 52ms |
Smile | 2.44Mbps | 53ms |
The ISPs, operating in their license domain differently from the mobile network operators (Top unlimited data plans in Nigeria), are serving mainly corporate organizations and homes, as opposed to the likes of MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, who are targeting the entire spectrum of internet users in the country.
Spectranet
Spectranet was awarded a License from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2009 to promote Internet services across Nigeria. It is among the first Internet Service Providers to launch 4G LTE internet service in Nigeria and aims to be a leader in the Internet Services space.
The ISP is known for having unique tariff plans as part of its effort to ensure everyone has access to affordable and faster internet. The company’s motive is to make data easily acquirable by its customers. They had to come up with these mouth-watering offers.
Spectranet accounts for 249,179 out of the total 351,817 connected subscribers. This shows Spectranet added 3,340 connected subscribers in one year when compared to 245,839 it recorded in 2020. The ISP has 119,612 active subscribers during the period under review. This shows a decrease of about 16,113 when compared to 135,725 recorded in 2020. The point of presence reduced from 632 it had in 2020 to 629 in 2021.
Tizeti
In today’s digital ecosystem, telecommunication has become the foundation for businesses, governments, communities, and families to seamlessly connect and share information. Unfortunately, access to the internet is still patchy across the African continent. Only 43% of Africa is on the internet which is approximately 590 million of the population of 1.37 Billion.
One company really positioned to disrupt this market is Tizeti launched 7 years ago. Tizeti came on stream at a time many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are dead or dying. The company is leveraging the large wireless capacity available with Wi-fi and plummeting 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.
Tizeti provides high-speed broadband internet to Residences, businesses, Events, and Conferences and deploys public Wi-fi Hotspots at locations across Africa. In 2021, Tizeti recorded 21,224 connected subscribers which is less than the 21,655 recorded in 2020. However, the number of active subscribers increased from 11,195 in 2020 to 15,790 last year. Surprisingly, the point of presence is now 1, compared to 109 in 2020.
ipNX
ipNX is one of the innovative best Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria. In 2021, the company launched FOS Xtreme1000, a new broadband service offering 1 Gigabit Per Second (1Gbps) speed to residential users, becoming the first player in the Nigerian market to offer such high speeds. ipNX as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing Internet service providers serves a multitude of needs across enterprises, small businesses, and residents with innovative, world-class services.
Its ability to identify, satisfy and exceed today’s market needs is a testament to over a decade of experience, commitment, drive, and passion realized through highly skilled and well-seasoned professionals. As a pioneer and a leading Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) operator in Nigeria, IPNX currently accounts for 15, 582 connected subscribers; 11,107 active subscribers with two Points of Presence.
MainOne
MainOne is a household name as a broadband infrastructure in West Africa. Through its Global Internet Access (GIA) Service, MainOne provides your business with secure and direct access to the internet across the globe. The platform offers direct access to MainOne’s submarine cable system.
The network directly peers with local and leading global Internet Exchange Points as well as Tier-1 networks. This service supports applications that require access to, and from the Internet in real time. It enables employees and external stakeholders to share information via reliable, fast, and secure access to the global internet. MainOne has achieved many feats as one of the top 20 Internet Service Providers; a topnotch broadband infrastructure company providing innovative telecoms services and network solutions across West Africa.
Since its launch in 2010, MainOne has developed a reputation for providing highly reliable services to major telecom operators, ISPs, government agencies, small to large enterprises, and educational institutions in West Africa. MainOne also owns a data center subsidiary, MDXi which builds and operates Tier III data centers across West Africa. MainOne has 1,569 connected subscribers and all of them are active subscribers. It has 6 Points of Presence.
VDT Communications
VDT is a licensed Private Network service provider specializing 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.
As one of the top 20 Internet Service Providers, VDT provides corporate organizations with leased Fiber Optic trunks to the thirty-six (36) states in Nigeria and the FCT, where they have 58 Point-Of-Presence (POP) and a complement of technical support staffers. It has also launched broadband service for the mass market. VDT’s total connected subscribers increased to 9,424 in 2020 from 2,404 in 2021. The total active subscribers also increased from 1,731 to 6,814.
Cyberspace Network Ltd
Let’s tell you about Cyberspace as one of the leading ISPs in Nigeria. In 2014, it deployed a 4G LTE network infrastructure to bring to the customers an undeniable feel of 10x more Speed, Mobility, Security, Throughput, and Reduced Latency than anything the world had ever seen before then.
Cyberspace prides its superfast 4G LTE internet service as always being affordable, high quality, and reliable. They have a variety of packages to choose from and whether you need single- or multi-user access, all of its devices are simple to use. From NCC’s statistics, Cyberspace 4G LTE has 7,930 connected subscribers; 5,710 active subscribers in 9 Points of Presence.
21st Century Limited
21st Century Technologies Limited (21CTL) is a Licensed Information Communications and Technology Services provider, fully mobilized and well-positioned to build converged multi-service and efficiently managed networks nationwide. The organization has its corporate head office at Plot 249A Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island Extension with branches nationwide.
The company has its eyes on creating a worry-free communications network that meets the customers’ IT challenges and overall business goals. 21st Century Technologies has 5,315 connected subscribers and 2,601 active subscribers. It has 3 Points of Presence.
Broadbased Communications
Broadbased Communications Limited has distinguished itself as one of the top 20 Internet Service Providers in Nigeria. The company is a leading operator of open-access Metropolitan Fiber Optic Network covering all the major business districts in Lagos. The company also provides International Voice, Data and SMS Gateway Services, National Voice Services, Internet Services, and Wholesale Value Added Services (VAS Aggregator Services). Broadbased Communications has 3,700 connected subscribers; 3,500 active subscribers and 1 Point of Presence.
Consequently, the company provides Fiber Optic Network connectivity for Mobile Network Operators, 4G Network Operators, all Submarine Cable Landing Stations, all Major Internet Service Providers, all Data Centers, Nigeria Internet Exchange Point, major Global Telecom Operators, all Banks, Nigerian Stock Exchange, all Electronic Payment Switching and Processing companies, Oil Companies, major Corporate firms, and Residential Estates in partnership with other Telecom Service Providers in each Estate.
Cobranet Ltd
Cobranet Limited is one of the long-lasting Internet Service and data providers in Nigeria. Since its launch in 2003, Cobranet provides Internet Service and Data management solutions to the digital universe. The company has been consistent as one of the top 20 Internet Service Providers in the country. As an ISP, Cobranet offers corporate internet plans for organizations and medium-sized businesses over a state-of-the-art -radio network in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt as well as residential plans on a network topology that is rugged, dynamic, and fully redundant with negligible downtimes.
Cobranet’s promise is to continue to provide innovative and world-class solutions at the best feature-to-price and service–to–price ratio to ensure that customers achieve their targets while enjoying the peace of mind of being Cobranet subscribers. It has 3268 connected subscribers of which are active and it has 1 Point of Presence.
Dimension Data Limited
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Johannesburg, At Dimension Data has grown its footprint across the Middle East and Africa. the company is a member of the NTT Ltd. Group, one of the world’s leading technology companies. Dimension Data empowers companies to expand their cloud and connectivity solutions in new markets through a full portfolio of advanced, end-to-end IT infrastructure services that offer a partnership with competitive, flexible pricing and reach.
Dimension Data has made significant investments in major undersea cables – SEACOM, EASSy, APG, SJC, SMW5, EIG, LION, SAFE, ACE, SAT3, Indocom/KDN, and WACS – providing access to over 500Gbps of international high-speed bandwidth. Dimension data is one of the largest aggregators of VSAT and the last mile. It boasts of 78 points of presence (PoPs) across the Middle East and Africa and 4 International PoPs. It has access to 500Gbs of undersea cables and 11000 m2 of data center space. According to statistics on NCC’s website, Dimension Data has 664 connected subscribers; 610 active subscribers, and 15 Points of Presence.
Dotmac Technologies Ltd
Dotmac technologies offer fast internet through their Fiber broadband Technology, they promise unlimited internet, and this is commendable, especially in Nigeria where providers have become notorious for internet connection that depletes quickly. Originally based in the nation’s capital, Abuja, they have now expanded to Lagos and their packages are quite affordable
As a Gold partner of NigComSat, Dotmac is Licensed by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) with membership in the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).
Internet Solutions Nigeria Limited
Internet Solutions Nigeria Ltd. (ISN) is an experienced Systems Integrator & Internet Service provider serving various clients across different sectors within Nigeria and West Africa.
ISN specializes in providing satellite, fixed and wireless, customized networks, Web design and Hosting, network infrastructure, and software solutions. Since its founding in 1997, ISN has continued to offer specialized services to a variety of businesses, including international corporations, regional firms, and residential clients.
The company has 2 decades (20 years) of experience delivering high-quality ICT services and solutions. Its coverage supports the PAN-Nigerian clients with the core network build backed up via multiple carriers.
Radical Technology Network Ltd
Radical Technology Network Ltd is a Nigerian ISP with its head office located in Lagos and with a 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 2,556 customers were subscribing to the ISP’s service as of Q2 2022, while 1,882 of them were active. The company had 6 points of presence.