Nigeria’s Cheapest Internet Service Providers [Comparison Chart]

Internet access remains the bedrock of any successful internet business, for now, we still have what I call “shadow broadband internet access” in Nigeria. I do understand that most of us try to get the best, affordable, and fast internet service in Nigeria. We have highlighted below prices of internet subscriptions in Nigeria. It’s in two segments; 1^st compares the ones offered by telecom operators (GSM) and then CDMA telecom operators. These services are targeted at small scale business to personal internet needs (we hope to do a comparison of corporate internet services).

I have tested virtually all of them and I can say categorically that they work fine for basic internet needs. Your location is also a pointer to whether you will get best coverage offered by these firms. In my own location, most times I get HSDPA and EVDO signals, these are real broadband (in Nigerian context)!

GSM Providers

The bone of contention has largely been the data-cap introduced by most of the service providers; most people (high-end users) are not very comfortable with that. In as much as I liked how fast there services are; I am usually put off by the data limits

They are also good for mobile internet access! The most reasonable of them all is the ones offered by Zain and Etisalat; 100mb per month at N1000. I have tried both services, I prefer Etisalat as its stable and fast. While Etisalat is a big minus if you go out of covered states, remains the best in states it is present e.g Lagos.

CDMA/EVDO Service providers

I was surprised to discover that Multilinks have data limits on their services. Their connection is fast and well priced compared to others but the data cap doesn’t cut it for me.

Starcomms is stable, fast and accessible! But it comes with a huge price compared to others; it is expensive but you get value for money! Recharging your plan is as simple as normal voice call recharge.

For Zoom, am waiting (hope not in vain) for when they will wake up from their slumber. I first used their internet service (1X) in  2006, best as at that time and quite a number of people troop onto the network then came the problem of scaling their service, they failed! For every installation you had to “Carry” your system to their office to install the software. Until recently, you have to go to their office to obtain internet card (which is different from the normal call cards unlike Starcomms) to recharge your network. I tried it out recently; it was very fast, apparently because they have lost all their customers to competitors. Their customer service is way below average; their staffs are always discussing unnecessary issues and will not attend to you timely! Are there customer service checks by NCC? Just asking!

Benefit of GSM networks

Imagine traveling to a remote place where you can only make calls? Well your Starcomms or multilinks may not be available in that village, but with the GSM service you will still be able to access internet but at snail speed! So if you are an interstate business person, consider using the GSM providers’ service.

If you are base in one of the top cities in the country where CDMA/EVDO operators are based and use the internet heavily, it makes business sense than the GSM networks.

Over to you, which internet service provider do you use and how reliable?

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Glo now provides the cheapest Internet Service in Nigeria

Internet access is key to conducting business online for business owners and the consumers. The cheaper and easier people can get online the better the chances of patronizing your internet service.

The leading internet service provides in the country have been operating more or less like a cartel, same price for same bandwidth across the board. Bad!

In the current market prices, this remains the cheapest. This is a sign that Glo1 Cable will surely disrupt the market and possibly drag down the prices.

Prepaid 3G HSI Packages

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Facebook adoption and spending on the rise in Africa

Facebook adoption continues to see growth every month. Let’s take a look at how it has feared this quarter. The countries under review have a combined 85% of total African population on Facebook.

Growth in South Africa has saturation point while Egypt, Tunisia and morocco are all fast rising.  Egypt added the highest number of users (392680) between February and now followed by Morocco (345, 380), Tunisia 309,920 and Nigeria, 155,480. Egypt added almost as much users the total number of Ghana, Facebook users.

Egypt is very far ahead of the pack, leading South Africa with more than 500,000 users and penetration still at 23.5%, it sure can increase the gap in months to come. South Africa’s increments in just 2% as oppose 21% or Morocco and Tunisia and 13% of both Egypt and Nigeria.

Chart

Demography

Spending on Facebook

As Facebook continues its search for profitability, it has to selectively choose which African country to focus on. Apparently, South Africa is a country of choice given the technology advancement in the country. Though Egypt and other African countries have considerable user base, but if they are unable to affect Facebook bottom-line, I think will be a huge liability to the company.

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Get Starcomms gadget + subscription for just N11,999

Nigerian internet market is witnessing big competition as the telcos taking the fight to the destination of primary ISPs. Top telecoms operators in Nigeria reduced their subscription prices coming up with various subscription plans that are affordable and targeted at those who just want to get online. Prices range from 500 for 5omb, 1000 for 100mb and maximum of 3gig for 10,000 per month.

Starcomms has been in the game for long and has been the one setting the pace; as the game have changed now, the need to change has dawn on starcomms. The new product iZap@star is affordable and mobile. It’s a USB based gadget that you can take anywhere you wasnt.

To own one, simply purchase any of the plans you prefer; starting at N12,999 for the gadget plus 100hours, other includes the following;

USB Purple 250hours (90days)
N21, 499

USB Purple always on (30days)
N22, 499

USB Purple Biz bundle (30days)
N14, 999

USB Purple Night bundle (30days)
N11, 999

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Swift Network upgrades to 4G Technology

Swift Network is a top broadband internet service provider in Nigeria with extremely fast connection. About a year ago, it launched  hotspot internet service in various restaurant in Lagos and has since continued to expand it’s network.

One of the main headache using their old platform is that every installation of their network must be done by their engineers reducing the potential expansion of the service. I recommended and install their network for a microfinance bank about a  year ago and I must say, the service has been awesome.

4G Technology refers to the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. It is a successor to 3G and 2G standards. The nomenclature of the generations generally refers to a change in the fundamental nature of the service. The first was the move from analogue to digital (2G), which was followed by multi-media support (3G) and now 4G, which refers to all IP packet switched networks and increases in data speeds. -Wikipedia

Swift operate one of the fastest internet service in Nigeria, how superfast will this new 4G bring? The launch is next month.

Hardware upgrade

For people currently subscribed to Switch Network radio-based connection, you are ask to update you profile information on their website to exchange it for a new 4G Wimax modems to use 4G technology.

To update your details:

(1)  For changes to your address; email; and contact phone numbers:

(a)  Visit our website (http://www.swiftng.com/payments.asp);
(b)  Log on with your username (Your Subscriber ID number) and enter your password in the required field.
If your password has not been changed from the default password since you
became our customer, then use the default password.
(c) Click on “Edit Profile” to edit/update your contact information

(2) For changes to your name and/or subscriber ID only, please send an
email to customercare@swiftng.com

April 15th is the deadline for update.

Have you used Swift Network internet connection before and believe is the best in Nigeria? Please vote for it here.

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Best Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Nigeria

Last year January we conducted a survey on to ISP in the country. We understand things have changed since last year, some of the companies listed launched various products and upgraded their services. Some that were vibrant last year might have gone bad. We don’t want to assume but will like to have you share your experience with us. We will make the result known to the public after we receive enough entries.

Click here to choose.

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Countdown to Technology Outlook, Agenda Overview

All is set for the much expected yearly event, Technology Outlook 2010, where movers in the technology industry in Nigeria gather to chart the course for the industry in 2010 and beyond. You can register for the event by click here. Below are the people to expect and particular panels they will be discussing on.

Summit Keynote Presenters and Panelists

Day One: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

TELEPHONY FORUM

Keynote: Ikra Bilbis, Minister of State, Information & Communications

Ernest Ndukwe, NCC

Wale Goodluck, MTN Nigeria

Steve Evans, Etisalat Nigeria;

Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, eShekels

Sylvester Anyanwun, Senate

Funke Opeke, Main One

Jameel Mohammed, Globacom

Afam Edozie, FiCres Capital

Jeffrey Hedberg, MultiLinks Telkom

Philip de la Vega, Nokia Nigeria

ICT in GOVERNANCE FORUM

Keynote: Gerald Ilukwe, GalaxyBackbone

Ahmed Rufai, NigComSat

Cleopas Angaye, NITDA

Case Study Presentations by:

Lagos State

Delta State

Kano State

E-BUSINESS FORUM

Keynote: Tani Fafunwa, Resourcery Limited

Collins Onuegbu, Signal Alliance

Austin Okere, CWG

Dele Arikawe, Chevron

Day Two: Wednesday, February 24, 2010

E-PAYMENT FORUM

Keynote: Sanusi Lamido, CBN

Demola Aladekomo, Chams

Mitchell Elegbe, Interswitch

John Obaro, Systemspecs

Bisi Onasanya, First Bank

Valentine Obi, eTranzact

Basil Udotai, Technology Advisors

OEM FORUM

Keynote: Leo Stan Ekeh, Zinox

Florence Seriki, Omatek

Ime Umo, HP

Harold Anumihe, Dell

Bode Pedro, VEDA Technology

Tunji Balogun, Brian

Will Anyaegbunam, Beta

Emmanuel Onyeje, Microsoft

ICT INTEREST GROUP NIGERIA

FORUM

Charles Uwadia, NCS

Ibrahim Tizhe, CPN

Chris Uwaje, ISPON

Emmanuel Ekuwem, ATCON

Lanre Ajayi, NIG

Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON

Samuel Adeleke, ISPAN

Jimson Olufuye, ISPAN

Day Three: Thursday, February 25, 2010

JOURNALISM & NEW MEDIA

FORUM

Keynote: Dele Olojede, Next

Dora Akunyili, Minister of Information & Communications

Steve Ayorinde, Punch

Ibim Seminitari, Business Eye

Waziri Adio, Think Tank Consult

Funmi Iyanda, CEO, FI

Simon Kolawole, ThisDay

N’emeka Maduegbuna, PRCAN

Tolu Ogunkoya, Media Reach

Ade Atobatele, Nigeria.com

Taiwo Obe, TaijoWonukabe

INTERNET FORUM

Keynote: Chima Onyekwere, Linkserve

Mary Uduma, NIRA

Ibukun Odusote, NIRA

Cleopas Angaye, NITDA

Bruce Ayonote, Suburban

Lanre Ajayi, NIG

Muhammed Rudman, IXP Nigeria

Charles Anudu, Swift Networks

WEB 2.0 FORUM

Keynote: Femi Awoyemi, Proshare

Gbenga Sesan, PIN

Oreoluwa Somolu, W.TEC

Loy Okezie, Startups Nigeria

Oluseye Amusa, Kogno

Temi Kolawole, Sturvs

Tim Akinbo, TimbaObject

Ayodeji Adewunmi, Jobberman

Mayowa Owolabi, Dudumobile,

Sheriff Shittu, Web Trends Nigeria

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Nigerian Web technologist takes the web to the mainstream

Technology Times Outlook 2010 Business Summit is an annual event organized by Technology Times Media Limited a leading technology publishing outfit in Nigeria. The event always brings together policy makers, Industry’s experts, and thought leaders in the Nigerian technology industry. It was successfully hosted last year with top executives in banking and telecoms present.

2010 event promises to be a ground breaking one as agenda is set to include web 2.0 Forum in the masterpiece event. Young Nigerians with interest and expertise in the web industry have been invited to be at the event. There are: Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, Gbenga Sesan and Executive Director, Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), Oreoluwa Somolu. Others include CEO, Startups Nigeria, Loy Okezie; CEO, Kogno Worldwide Ltd, Oluseye Amusa; Co-founder, Sturvs, Temi Kolawole; CEO TimbaObject Company, Tim Akinbo; an Internet Strategist, Ayodeji Adewunmi; COO, Dudumobile, Mayowa Owolabi and a Web Consultant and CEO of Web Trends Nigeria, Sheriff Shittu (Myself).

The young minds invited have shown their interest over the years in developing Nigerian web industry and this is a good opportunity to take the “web message to the mainstream”. Nigeria currently has 11 million internet users out the population that exceed 140 million. Telecom and internet is growing geometrically in Nigeria; recently mobile phone users surpassed 70million mark to make it one of the top countries in the world experiencing massive growth.

This is a step in the right direction as I see this to be an opportunity to dialogue with the business community and government to chart a course for the future of Nigerian Web Industry.

The event will take place on 2^nd-4^th of February 2010 at Muson Center Onikan Lagos, Nigeria. Are you planning to attend? Let’s get it started.

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Starcomms iZap@Trendy another Fast Internet Connection in Nigeria

I wrote about MTN F@stlink earlier this week and now again Starcomms. I am convinced that Nigeria is on the right path towards getting a real broadband internet connection. Starcomms as you may have known are a top performer in the internet connection market having spearheaded the launching of creative internet products.

Starcomms iZap is powered by EVDO technology, meaning a “broadband” internet access.  It automatically switches to 1x incase you are not within the 3G coverage.

Starcomms also have various plans you can choose from;

PRICE: N29,999
USB Purple Always AP: 24/7

PRICE: N22,999
USB Purple Business AP: 9am-9pm

PRICE: N19,999
USB Purple Night AP: 9pm-9am

PRICE: N28,999
USB Purple 250 Hours AP: 24/7

PRICE: N19,999
USB Purple 100 Hours AP: 24/7

The prices above include the cost of hardware. These are the cost for the plans;

Always On 24/7=15,000

Business 9am-9pm=7,000

Night 9pm-9am=5,000

100 hours=6,500 valid for 30days.

250 hours=15,000 valid for 90 days.

Starcomms connection is a good option for all levels of users including high-end users. Starcomms is better compare to others in terms of bandwidth limit as it has no bandwidth limit on all its plans. You can read more on Starcomms site here.

Which internet connection do you use? Ever tried Starcomms? Share your experience below…

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MTN F@stlink Internet Connection, truly fast!

I got an MTN F@stlink datacard yesterday to check how efficient it is, to my amazement, it was cool! Well I used it first in the early hours of Sunday… my location (K2, Lagos) allowed me to get HSDPA network which increased the speed astronomically!

I chose the daily plan which is N500 for 50 MB and valid ONLY for 24hours. As a power user, I almost exhausted the limit of 50MB less than 1 hour, well this shows that it’s only good for normal user (checking and sending mails).

Upside

1. Cheap…with N500 recharge card you are on
2. It’s fast… around Lagos its very fast (be sure you have a good network service in your area)
3. It’s mobile, the gadget is a USB modem, so you can move it anywhere you want
4. 24hrs … in case you are sending an email and expecting a response within 24hrs, fine… you can logoff and come back to use it.

Downside

1. When the limit is about to be exhausted, it somehow slow
2. The connection is not vibrant in every area, even within Lagos it still gives you GPRS (which is slow for PC browsing)
3. It’s good only for normal internet users, check your mail, visit couple of sites, Google etc, if you view too many images… you are done!

The Gadget is usable with all the bundle plans and comes with an easy and intuitive interface; you can send SMS right from the interface and do much more.

Thinking of getting one? Well verify your connection and choose a suitable plan according to your browsing pattern.

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