MTN Explains Why Nigerians’ Data Bundles Run Out Quickly, Points to Video Streaming and Background Apps.

MTN Explains Why Nigerians’ Data Bundles Run Out Quickly, Points to Video Streaming and Background Apps.

MTN Nigeria has explained why subscribers frequently experience rapid depletion of their internet data bundles, attributing the problem largely to video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications and smartphone settings that consume data without users’ immediate awareness.

The telecommunications company gave the explanation at a forum tagged Data on Trial, held in Abuja on Monday, October 26, on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit. The event provided an opportunity for subscribers to question the company about data consumption, billing practices and the rising cost of internet access.

According to MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, the amount of data consumed depends significantly on subscribers’ online activities, the applications installed on their devices and how those applications are configured.

Ndukwe dismissed allegations that the company deliberately deducts customers’ data, arguing that many instances of rapid depletion result from activities initiated by users or their smartphones.

He acknowledged consumers’ frustration over the issue, particularly amid economic pressures that have made internet access an important expense for many Nigerians.

Video Streaming and Social Media Consumption

MTN identified video streaming as one of the major contributors to rapid data consumption, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

The company explained that videos watched in high definition consume considerably more data than those viewed at lower resolutions. Consequently, subscribers who spend extended periods watching videos or scrolling through short-form content may exhaust their subscriptions faster than anticipated.

Automatic video playback and preloading features also contribute to the problem. Some applications download portions of upcoming videos in advance to minimize buffering, meaning data can be consumed even before users deliberately select individual clips.

WhatsApp can also contribute to unexpected depletion through the automatic downloading of videos, photographs, voice notes and other media shared in personal conversations and group chats.

Although ordinary text messages generally consume relatively little data, frequent media downloads and status viewing can significantly increase overall usage.

Automatic Updates and Background Applications

Beyond active browsing, MTN highlighted automatic application updates, cloud backups and background activities as other reasons subscribers may notice their data balances declining when they are not actively using their phones.

Smartphones can continue connecting to online services to synchronize photographs, back up files, refresh applications and download software updates.

These processes may occur overnight or when users are engaged in other activities, creating the impression that data has disappeared without explanation.

Hotspot sharing presents another potential challenge. When other phones or computers connect to a subscriber’s device, their downloads, streaming activities and software updates may consume the available data allowance.

MTN therefore encouraged subscribers to review their phone settings and identify applications responsible for unusually high consumption.

Why Phone Data Readings May Differ From Network Records

The telecommunications company also addressed concerns about differences between the data consumption figures displayed on smartphones and the records maintained by network operators.

MTN’s General Manager of IT Operations, David Ogunsola, explained that discrepancies can arise because devices and telecommunications networks may measure data usage differently.

Differences in measurement methods and rounding can contribute to variations between the figures displayed on a phone and those recorded by the network.

However, such explanations do not eliminate the need for transparent billing practices or effective mechanisms for resolving legitimate customer complaints.

Subscribers who believe their data has been deducted incorrectly should examine their usage records and seek clarification from their service providers.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s telecommunications regulator, also provides guidance on data consumption and complaint resolution, including escalation procedures for consumers whose complaints remain unresolved.

MTN Recommends Ways to Make Data Last Longer

To help subscribers manage their internet subscriptions, MTN advised users to take greater control of their smartphone settings and monitor their consumption regularly.

Recommended measures include reducing video quality, disabling automatic media downloads, restricting application updates to Wi Fi connections and limiting background data usage for applications that do not require constant internet access.

Subscribers were also encouraged to switch off mobile hotspots when they are not needed, monitor connected devices and check their data consumption through the MyMTN application.

These steps can help users identify where their data is going and reduce unnecessary consumption without abandoning essential online services.

Data Costs and Consumer Confidence

The discussion comes amid persistent public concerns about the affordability of telecommunications services in Nigeria, where mobile internet supports education, journalism, business, digital employment and communication.

MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola also highlighted the high cost of operating telecommunications infrastructure in the country, particularly expenses associated with electricity and transporting equipment to network sites.

His comments reflect the broader operational challenges facing telecommunications companies in Nigeria, where unreliable power supply and infrastructure costs can place pressure on service delivery.

Nevertheless, the explanation for rapid data depletion is unlikely to end public debate over data pricing and billing transparency.

While smartphone settings and online habits can substantially influence consumption, subscribers also need clear information about their purchases, accessible usage records and timely resolution of disputes.

For Nigeria’s growing digital economy, building consumer confidence will require both improved public understanding of data usage and continued accountability from telecommunications providers.