MTN Nigeria has denied allegations that it deliberately deducts customers’ internet data, explaining that video streaming, automatic downloads and applications running in the background are among the major reasons data bundles run out quickly.
The telecommunications company said many subscribers unknowingly consume data through smartphone settings and applications that continue to operate even when they are not actively browsing the internet.
MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, gave the explanation during a forum tagged “Data on Trial” held in Abuja on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit.
Ndukwe said the company understood customers’ concerns, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs. However, he maintained that data consumption usually results from activities initiated by users or their devices.
“We’re not stealing your data. However, we completely understand how it feels, especially right now, where every amount counts,” he said.
He explained that applications such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp could consume significant amounts of data depending on video quality, automatic playback and download settings.
According to him, watching a 15-second TikTok video could consume between two and 20 megabytes of data, depending on its resolution.
He added that although WhatsApp text messages generally consume very little data, watching videos, viewing status updates and automatically downloading media files could cause subscribers’ data bundles to run out faster than expected.
Ndukwe specifically warned that automatic downloads could consume data without users realising it.
“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 said.
MTN Advises Subscribers on How to Reduce Data Consumption
To help customers manage their internet subscriptions, Ndukwe advised subscribers to disable automatic downloads, reduce video streaming quality and activate data-saving features on their smartphones.
He also encouraged customers to monitor their internet consumption through the MyMTN application to understand how quickly their data bundles were being used.
Speaking at the same event, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of IT Operations, David Ogunsola, explained that the amount of data displayed on a subscriber’s device might differ slightly from the figures recorded by telecommunications operators.
According to him, the difference arises from variations in measurement methods, background internet activities and the timing of data sessions.
“The data that you measure on your devices is slightly different from what traverses over the network and what’s on the charge,” Ogunsola said.
He noted that measurement differences and rounding could account for variations of between two and 12 per cent in some cases.
Ogunsola also clarified that the type of network a subscriber uses, whether 3G or 4G, primarily determines internet speed rather than the amount of data consumed.
He explained that data consumption depends largely on the activities users perform online, while network technology determines how quickly those activities can be completed.
MTN CEO Explains High Cost of Telecommunications Services
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, also addressed concerns about the cost of telecommunications services in the country.
Toriola explained that operators face significant expenses in providing electricity, transportation and maintaining the infrastructure required to keep their networks operational.
He said telecommunications companies in Nigeria incur additional costs because they must provide power and transportation to their network 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.
According to him, Nigerian telecommunications operators use equipment similar to those deployed in Europe and the United States but operate under more expensive conditions.
The additional expenses, he explained, contribute to the financial pressure faced by operators in maintaining reliable telecommunications services.
Xiaomi Identifies Other Causes of Rapid Data Consumption
Also speaking at the forum, Xiaomi Nigeria’s Northwest Sales Manager, Kevin Kojode, identified automatic software updates, cloud backups, background applications and devices connected to mobile hotspots as other possible causes of unexpected data consumption.
Kojode said modern smartphones remain connected to the internet for extended periods, allowing applications to continue exchanging data even when users are not actively using them.
“Today, users don’t just go online, they stay online,” he said.
He advised subscribers to configure their smartphones to download software updates only when connected to Wi-Fi, monitor devices using their mobile hotspots and set data usage limits.
These measures, he explained, could help users identify activities responsible for excessive consumption and prevent their internet bundles from being exhausted unexpectedly.
The forum was organised by MTN Nigeria to address widespread complaints about internet data consumption and improve customers’ understanding of data billing and usage.
While the company maintains that it does not deliberately steal subscribers’ data, the discussions highlighted how smartphone settings, online activities and differences in data measurement can affect the amount of internet data customers use.
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