Data depletion: MTN explains why Nigerians’ mobile data runs out fast

MTN Nigeria has explained why subscribers’ internet data bundles are frequently exhausted, attributing rapid consumption to video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications and smartphone settings.

According to PUNCH, the telecommunications company dismissed allegations that network operators deliberately deduct customers’ data.

Speaking during the “Data on Trial” forum at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, MTN’s General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, said subscribers often consume data unknowingly.

“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 platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp consume significant data, particularly through high-resolution videos and automatic downloads.

He disclosed that a 15-second TikTok video could consume between two and 20 megabytes, depending on its quality.

“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 noted.

MTN also revealed that data consumption had increased by approximately 43 per cent year-on-year.

The company’s General Manager of IT Operations, David Ogunsola, attributed differences between smartphone and network data readings to measurement methods and background activities.

Subscribers were advised to disable automatic downloads, reduce streaming quality and activate data-saving features.