. ATCON explains data consumption modules.
.NATCOM seeks reduction in data charges
INTERNET subscribers are worried, as Mobile Network Operators (MNO), Internet Service Providers (ISP), allegedly cheat through fast data depletion.
Mobile data is Internet content delivered to mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets over a wireless cellular connection.
A 9mobile subscribers, Musa Shodipe, who spoke to SlyNews complained about data deduction without enabling his smartphone data, even when he did not receive any notice from the operator as to what the deductions were meant for.
He said that “I recharged N3000 for 4G for 39 days but I noticed that within two week, it has been exhausted to 1.5G I hardly switch on my mobile data because am always busy using the company’s Wi-Fi, so I wonder how my data got exhausted without using it.”
Another subscriber using Smile Netwok, Mrs Abimbola Iyanu, lamented that despite frustrating service in her area, she hardly manage 35G worth of N10,000 in her home comprises of four children and her husband.
“When I started using Smile network, my family and I enjoyed 35G worth of data for a month but recently, I discovered that we barely use same 35G for a month before I make another subscription.
“There was a time I was contemplating to switch to other provider but I consulted some of my friend that uses different provider but they all complained of poor network in our area, so I have no choice rather than to stick to Smile Network but I get frustrated with the way my data got exhausted without staying online or doing something important that required a lot of data,” she lamented.
Also speaking with a Glo subscriber based in Delta, Fadoju Itunuoluwa, said that the network in her area is very poor, thereforr she finds it difficult to access 4G network.
“I make 1.5G for N1000 monthly, but it is always difficult for me to stream video on Instagram but before three weeks, I got notification that my subscription has finished without streaming or sending a huge document that could result to quick data depletion.”
Reacting to the issues of data depletion, President of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola, said that most subscribers are not aware of background running data apps which consumed their mobile data when not used.
Teniola said the speed of internet likely depend on why mobile data exhaust faster, says streaming of online video or video call over OTT applications contributed to reasons why mobile data exhaust very fast.
“NCC has been able to share their help desk number 622, the first point of call to those subscribers that feels that they are having problem to engage the help desk of their providers, however, subscribers have to note that in reality, the type of application running on your phone determines data consumption.
“Data consumption is higher if you do not understand your phone setting of these applications is set to consume most of the data, so I know that NCC recently releases a frequently asked question around data depletion.
“Some of the suggestions are very helpful, you can’t expect in this digital age that the type of applications you’re using for viewing, video for instance, can only work on data less than 1G and the application used to show the video are data intensive. If you’re going to watch video or any application that is data intensive, you have to adjust the settings, so that it doesn’t consume data as quickly as you expected,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the President National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, has appealed to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to review downward the cap price of mobile data.
He explained that depletion of data is unfortunate but when he engages operators, they claim of providing a promo which does not exceed the regulator’s data cap.
