MTN Explains Why Nigerians' Data Runs Out Fast

MTN blames high-resolution video streaming, automatic downloads and background apps for rapid data depletion, urging subscribers to review their smartphone settings and monitor usage.

MTN Nigeria has attributed the rapid depletion of internet data bundles to high-resolution video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications and cloud backups, dismissing allegations that telecom operators deliberately deduct subscribers’ data.

The telecommunications company said many smartphone users unknowingly consume significant amounts of data through applications and services 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 depended on subscribers’ online activities and smartphone configurations.

“We’re not stealing your data. However, we completely understand how it feels, especially right now, where every amount counts,”

Ndukwe said, explaining that data consumption resulted from users’ actions or activities running on their devices.

He identified TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp among the applications capable of consuming substantial amounts of data, particularly when users stream high-quality videos or enable automatic media downloads.

According to Ndukwe, watching a 15-second TikTok video could consume between two and 20 megabytes, depending on its resolution.

High-definition streaming generally consumes more data than lower-quality playback.

He added that although ordinary WhatsApp text messages require relatively little data, videos, status updates, group conversations and automatic media downloads can quickly exhaust subscribers’ bundles.

Ndukwe also cited a year-on-year increase of approximately 43 per cent in data consumption, highlighting the growing demand for internet services.

Why Your Phone May Show Different Data Usage

MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of IT Operations, David Ogunsola, said differences between data consumption figures displayed on smartphones and those recorded by telecommunications networks could arise from variations in measurement methods and rounding.

He said such differences could range from two per cent to approximately 12 per cent in some circumstances.

Ogunsola explained that network technology, such as 3G or 4G, primarily affects connection speed, while video quality and application settings influence how much data subscribers consume.

MTN CEO Defends Internet Service Costs

MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, also pointed to the high cost of operating telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly the expenses associated with powering and maintaining network sites.

He said operators faced substantial operating costs, including electricity and transportation, despite deploying equipment comparable to that used in Europe and the United States.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi Nigeria’s Northwest Sales Manager, Kevin Kojode, identified automatic software updates, cloud synchronisation, background applications and unrestricted mobile hotspot connections as additional causes of unexpected data depletion.

He advised subscribers to restrict software updates to Wi-Fi connections, monitor devices connected to their hotspots, set mobile data limits and reduce video streaming quality.

For subscribers concerned about how quickly their data disappears, MTN recommends reviewing application settings, disabling unnecessary automatic downloads and using the MyMTN app to monitor consumption.

The explanations come amid persistent consumer concerns over the cost of internet access and how quickly purchased data bundles are exhausted.

Why It Matters

As internet access becomes increasingly important for work, education, entertainment and business, understanding what consumes mobile data can help Nigerians manage their subscriptions more effectively. MTN’s explanation also highlights the need for greater transparency and consumer confidence in how data usage is measured and billed.