Nigerians Report Faster Data Depletion from Telecoms

Nigerians are increasingly alarmed that their mobile internet data bundles from MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile are being exhausted much faster than previously experienced. Users report that data plans that used to last two to three weeks now barely last a week, leading to additional expenses for extra data.

Simi Olokoyede, a student, noted that her monthly MTN subscription used to last until the end of the month, while Lagos-based data analyst Uzor Maduka has also observed a quicker depletion of his data. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has acknowledged these concerns but indicated that this may not necessarily mean telecom operators have reduced data volumes.

Factors such as automatic video playback, background app updates, and the increasing use of high-quality streaming services contribute to faster data consumption. The NCC also points to economic pressures leading consumers to purchase smaller bundles and recommends strategies for managing data usage effectively.