Why customers’ data deplete fast — MTN

MTN Nigeria has attributed fast data depletion of customers to high-resolution video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications, cloud backups and increased internet activity

“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,” he said.

Ndukwe explained that applications such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp consume varying amounts of data depending on video resolution, automatic playback and the frequency of downloads.

According to him, a 15-second TikTok video could consume between two and 20 megabytes, depending on its quality, while high-definition streaming requires substantially more data than standard-definition viewing.

He said WhatsApp messages generally consume minimal data, but status updates, videos, group messages and automatic media downloads could exhaust subscriptions faster than users anticipated.

“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,” Ndukwe noted.

He disclosed that WhatsApp had approximately 45 million users in Nigeria, while TikTok ranked among the platforms generating substantial data traffic.

Ndukwe also cited figures indicating that data consumption increased by approximately 43 per cent year-on-year.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, defended the cost of providing internet services, citing electricity expenses and the responsibility of powering and maintaining telecommunications 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,” he said.

Toriola maintained that Nigerian operators deployed equipment comparable to that used in Europe and the United States but faced higher operating costs, particularly for electricity.

Earlier, Chairman, House of Reps committee on Communications, Peter Akpatason noted that the forum was crucial for Nigerians to understand data structure and also provide an avenue for investment.

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