MTN Nigeria has denied deliberately deducting subscribers’ internet data, attributing the rapid depletion of data bundles to high-resolution video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications, cloud backups and increased internet activity.
The telecommunications company said many subscribers unknowingly consume large amounts of mobile data through smartphone applications and settings that continue running even when they are not actively browsing.
Speaking at a forum tagged “Data on Trial” in Abuja on Monday, on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, said data consumption largely depends on users’ online activities and device configurations.
“We’re not stealing your data. However, we completely understand how it feels, especially right now, where every amount counts. But the honest answer is that data is not taken without an action, either your action or your phone,” Ndukwe said.
MTN Explains How TikTok, YouTube and Instagram Consume Data
Ndukwe identified applications such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp as significant contributors to mobile data consumption, explaining that the amount used varies according to video quality, automatic playback and download settings.
According to him, watching a 15-second TikTok video could consume between two and 20 megabytes, depending on its quality.
He added that high-definition video streaming consumes considerably more data than standard-definition viewing, meaning subscribers who frequently watch videos at higher resolutions could exhaust their subscriptions more quickly.
WhatsApp messages generally consume relatively little data, but video sharing, status updates, group conversations and automatic media downloads can significantly increase consumption.
Ndukwe advised subscribers to review their WhatsApp settings, particularly the automatic media download feature, which can consume data without users manually downloading individual files.
“If your WhatsApp is set on auto-download, straight away it hits your data bundle. And that is where you can optimise some of your settings,” he said.
He disclosed that WhatsApp had approximately 45 million users in Nigeria, while TikTok was among the platforms generating substantial data traffic.
Ndukwe also cited figures indicating that data consumption had increased by approximately 43 per cent year-on-year.
MTN Explains Differences Between Phone Data Readings and Network Records
MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of IT Operations, David Ogunsola, explained that differences between data consumption displayed on smartphones and measurements recorded by telecommunications networks could result from different measurement methods, background traffic and the timing of data sessions.
“The data that you measure on your devices is slightly different from what traverses over the network and what’s on the charge,” Ogunsola said.
He stated that differences in measurement and rounding could produce variations ranging from two per cent to approximately 12 per cent in some circumstances.
Ogunsola also explained that network technology primarily affects connection speed, while video quality and application settings influence the volume of data consumed.
“The network type that you are on, whether it’s 3G or 4G, just like Mike also explained earlier, would determine not how much data you use, but how fast you’re able to do what it is that you want to do,” he said.
MTN CEO Defends Cost of Providing Internet Services in Nigeria
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, defended the cost of providing telecommunications services, highlighting electricity expenses and the responsibility of powering and maintaining network sites.
“Please understand that this country, as well as a few other African countries, we are providing power and transportation to all of our sites,” Toriola said.
He maintained that Nigerian telecommunications operators deploy equipment comparable to that used in Europe and the United States but face higher operating costs, particularly electricity expenses.
Toriola said MTN was intensifying consumer education to help subscribers better understand smartphone settings and manage their internet usage.
Xiaomi Nigeria Identifies Background Apps as Another Cause
The Northwest Sales Manager of Xiaomi Nigeria, Kevin Kojode, also attributed unexpected data depletion to automatic software updates, cloud synchronisation, background applications and unrestricted hotspot connections.
“Today, users don’t just go online, they stay online,” Kojode said.
Using a one-gigabyte subscription as an illustration, he explained how background updates, cloud backups and operating-system activities could consume mobile data without users deliberately initiating downloads.
Kojode advised subscribers to restrict automatic updates to Wi-Fi connections, activate data limits, monitor hotspot connections and reduce video streaming quality.
He also highlighted smartphone features that allow users to monitor data consumption and restrict data sharing, noting that a better understanding of device settings could help Nigerians manage their subscriptions more effectively.
How to Make Your MTN Data Last Longer
Subscribers can reduce unnecessary data consumption by adjusting their smartphone settings and monitoring applications that use the most data.
Recommended steps include:
- Disable automatic downloads: Turn off automatic media downloads on WhatsApp and other messaging applications when using mobile data.
- Reduce video quality: Select lower streaming resolutions on TikTok, YouTube and other video platforms.
- Restrict background data: Prevent applications from using mobile data when they are not actively being used, where supported.
- Use Wi-Fi for updates: Configure smartphone applications and operating-system updates to download over Wi-Fi whenever possible.
- Monitor data consumption: Check your phone’s data usage settings and use the MyMTN application to monitor your subscription.
- Manage cloud backups: Configure photo, video and file backups to run over Wi-Fi rather than mobile data.
- Check hotspot connections: Disconnect unauthorised devices and turn off your mobile hotspot when it is not needed.
- Activate data-saving features: Enable built-in data-saving options to reduce unnecessary background activity.
Although these measures can help subscribers control their internet usage, customers who notice unexplained deductions should also check their data balances, subscription terms and usage records and contact their network provider if discrepancies persist.
Understanding how applications consume data, MTN Nigeria said, could help subscribers make their internet bundles last longer and avoid unnecessary expenses.