With the entry of new players, the internet service provisioning market competition is getting stiffer by the day. Just like competition paved way for per-second billing in the mobile telephony segment, unlimited internet service, which was hitherto impossible is now becoming the norm and a basis of competition for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Nigeria.
While the majority of internet subscriptions in Nigeria are on mobile networks, the ISPs by virtue of their business model rely mainly on subscriptions from businesses, and their services are tailored towards meeting corporate internet needs.
It must, however, be noted that while some of the ISPs claim to be offering unlimited data plans, not all are truly unlimited as some ISPs attach Fair Usage Policy (FUP) to their plans. The FUP means that there is a certain threshold of your usage within the unlimited period where the speed you get becomes lower but you will still continue to have access to the internet. For instance, if your one-month unlimited subscription has a 40GB FUP, it means that you will enjoy the best speed until you used up 40GB, after which the speed you get is reduced.
From five identified by Nairametrics in July 2022, more ISPs have been improving their packages to offer their customers unlimited data plans.
Highlighted below are the top 7 ISPs offering unlimited data plans as of this January. The best of them are those without FUP.
10. NTEL
NTEL has one of the best and most affordable unlimited data plans in Nigeria today and there are a lot of options to choose from. Although most of its plans have FUP, it has one of the cheapest unlimited plans in the country. Ntel, however, has a shortcoming in terms of limited network coverage. For now, NTEL is only available in some areas of Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. So, before subscribing to its service, you need to first confirm if it has coverage in your area.
The company offers various unlimited data plans which include:
Unlimited Daily
- Perfect for individuals who need unlimited data for specific tasks over a short period of time.
- Subscribe for only N1,500
- Valid for 2 days
- A Fair Use Policy (FUP) of 10GB applies to this plan.
Unlimited Weekly
Ideal for individuals who wish to enjoy unlimited Internet access without a long-term commitment.
- Subscribe for only N5,200 weekly
- Valid for 7 days
- A Fair Use Policy (FUP) of 40GB applies to this plan
Unlimited Family
- Perfect for multiple users at home or on the road.
- Subscribe for only N18,500 monthly
- Valid for 30 days
- A Fair Use Policy (FUP) of 150GB applies to this plan
Unlimited Exclusive
- This is ideal for people that engage in endless downloads
- This Plan has No Throttle, No Cap, and No FUP!
- Subscribe for only N25,000 monthly
- Valid for 30 days
Unlimited 90
- This is a long-term plan for 3 months
- Subscribe for only N51,000 Every 3 Months
- Enjoy high-speed Internet access
- Valid for 90 Days
- A Fair Use Policy (FUP) of 450GB applies to this plan
9. Smile Communications
Smile Communications is also offering one of the best-unlimited data packages with the excellent speed in areas where it has network coverage. The ISP currently has network coverage in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, Benin City, Kaduna, Onitsha and Asaba. Smile has different unlimited plans, which include:
Unlimited Lite
- Gives you Unlimited access to the internet at 8Mbps
- It costs 12,000 Naira per month
- FUP is 60GB
- Speed gets throttled to 512 Kbps after 60GB
Unlimited Essential
- The default speed for Unlimited essential is up to 8Mbps
- It costs 18,000 Naira per month
- FUP is 150GB
- speed reduces to 512kbps after 150GB
Freedom 3mbps
- Gives you Unlimited access to the internet with Data speed of up to 3Mbps
- It has a 30days validity period
- It costs 25,000 Naira
- FUP is 200GB
- Speed reduces to 512kbps after 200GB
8. Spectranet
Spectranet currently has the largest number of subscribers among the ISPs in Nigeria. This is not surprising because the company is one of the oldest internet service providers in the country and has been doing well in delivering the best speed. It is also among the few ISPs offering unlimited service in Nigeria. The ISP currently covers Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, and Port-Harcourt. Spectranet’s unlimited plans include:
Unlimited Gold Plan
- Gives unlimited access for 1 month
- It costs N18,999 per month
- FUP is 125GB
- Speed reduces to 512 kbps speed post 125GB
Unlimited Diamond Plan
- This costs N20,000 per month
- Speed @ 4Mbps
- FUP is 200GB
- Speed reduces to 512 kbps speed post 200GB
7. Cool Link
Cool Link provides high-speed and affordable internet service using satellite. This means that its service is available anywhere in Nigeria. Cool link’s broadband service is beamed from its satellite in space, giving you higher speeds than most terrestrial services (radio, 4G and fibre).
The company is also offering different packages of unlimited plans which include:
Unlimited 20
- Unlimited data for 30 days
- 20Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds
- It costs N7,900 per month
- FUP is 10GB
- Beyond 10GB, the download speed reduces to 4Mbps
- Beyond 15GB, the download speed reduces to 1Mbps
- Free night browsing (10 p.m. to 6 a. m.) at full speed
Unlimited 25
- 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds
- It costs N10,900
- FUP is 20GB at up to 25Mbps
- Beyond 20GB, the download speed reduces to 5Mbps
- Beyond 30GB, the download speed reduces to 1Mbps
- Free night access (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
Unlimited 30
- 30Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds
- It costs N16, 900 per month
- FUP is 30GB at up to 30Mbps
- Beyond 30GB, download speed reduces to 6Mbps
- Beyond 45GB, the download speed reduces to 1Mbps
- Free night access (10 p.m. to 6 a.m)
6. Swift Networks
Swift Networks is one of the leading ISPs in Nigeria. The company offers state-of-the-art broadband services for cost-effective and reliable deployment of a multi-service network, offering converged voice telephony, video conferencing, video surveillance, high-speed data transmission, and Internet access services over high-speed and reliable telecommunications pipe. While the company offers multiple capped data plans, it also has unlimited data plans at extra costs. Its unlimited packages include:
Unlimited Weekly
- It costs N6,500
- Lasts 7 days
- Unlimited speed
- No FUP
Unlimited Supreme
- It costs N25,000 per month
- Lasts 30 days
- Unlimited speed
- No FUP
5. Cyberspace Network Limited
Established in 1995 as an ICT company, Cyberspace deployed its 4G LTE network infrastructure in 2014 with a promise to deliver 10x more speed, mobility, and security to its customers. The company today offers a series of data plans to meet its customers’ needs. While most of its plans are capped, it has 2 unlimited plans targeted at its business customers. These include:
Cyber Unlimited Classic
- Subscription cost: N24,187
- Speed: 1Mbps
- Unlimited data
Cyber Unlimited Premium
- Subscription cost: N48,375 per month
- Speed: 2Mbps
- Unlimited data
4. iPNX
iPNX is the pioneer and a leading Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) operator in Nigeria. The company currently provides a number of solutions to various industries and market segments using industry-leading technology such as its Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) cable technology, core access network infrastructure, and fixed wireless radio services. While the company also has capped data plans, its uncapped plans come at a premium with excellent speed. Its unlimited data plans are:
FOS Xtreme 200
- Subscription cost: N98,900 per month
- Speed: 200Mbps
- Unlimited data for 30 days
FOS Xtreme 400
- Subscription cost: N155,875 per month
- Speed: 400Mbps
- Unlimited data for 30 days
FOS Xtreme 1000
- Subscription cost: N268,750
- Speed: 1000Mbps
- Unlimited data for 30 days
- Modem and installation cost for iPNX is N68,625
3. Hoop Telecoms
Hoop Telecoms Limited was established in 2017 as a full Telecommunications Service provider. The company is today one of the few ISPs offering truly high-speed, unlimited data plans in Nigeria. Hoop Telecoms currently has offices in 5 states of the country, and network/service coverage in 36 States of Nigeria and the FCT. Its nationwide network rides on both its own built infrastructure and the infrastructures of its partners, leveraging multiple infrastructure swap arrangements. The company said it aims to be in every nook and cranny of Nigeria. Its unlimited data plans include:
Home Deluxe
- Subscription cost N12,375 per month
- Speed: Up to 10Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Validity Period: 30 days
Home Deluxe Plus
- Subscription cost: N19,350 per month
- Speed: Up to 15Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Validity Period: 30 days
Home Ultimate
- Subscription cost: N26,875 per month
- Speed: Up to 20Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Validity Period: 30 days
2. Tizeti
Tizeti (wifi.com.ng) deploys unlimited internet to residential and business customers which allow customers to get the full benefit of the internet with no data or time caps. Its coverage areas include Lagos, Ogun, and Port Harcourt, and the company said it is expanding its network to cover the entire Nigeria.
Tizeti is one of the ISPs that offer different unlimited plans with no data cap, no usage threshold and no limit on the number of devices that can be connected. Its plans include:
Residential Unlimited
- Subscription cost: N12,500 per month
- Validity period: 30 days
- Unlimited data
- Attracts N5, 7000 one-time setup fee
Turbo Connect
- Subscription cost: N60,000 per month
- Validity period: 30 days
- Unlimited data
- Speed: Up to 150Mbps
- N135,000 one-time set-up fee
1. FibreOne
FiberOne is the largest fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) Internet service provider that is revolutionizing last-mile Internet in Nigeria by providing truly unlimited, top-quality Internet to offices and homes at a low price. The ISP distinguished itself by placing no boundary on its unlimited plan usage through FUP. This means that the subscribers enjoy the same quality speed throughout their subscription period. Unfortunately, FibreOne service is currently available in only 3 major cities of the country, Lagos, Abuja, and Ilorin. Its plans include:
SmartHome
- Subscription cost: N11, 994 per month
- Speed: Up to 16 Mbps
- No FUP
Smarthome Lite
- Subscription cost: N21,454 per month
- Speed: Up to 43 Mbps
- No FUP
Smarthome Plus
- Subscription cost: N31,754 per month
- Speed: Up to 65 Mbps
- No FUP
Smarthome Premium
- Subscription cost: N47,995 per month
- Speed: Up to 88 Mbps
- No FUP
SmartHome Platinum
- Subscription cost: N66,750 per month
- Speed: Up to 152 Mbps
- No FUP