The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says Fast depletion of internet data is a common issue faced by many consumers. There could be several reasons why consumers are experiencing this problem.
One possible reason is that they may be using data-intensive applications such as video streaming services or online gaming, which can quickly consume a large amount of data. Another possible reason is that they may not be aware of how much data their devices are consuming, or they may be leaving their devices connected to the internet even when they are not actively using them.
“To address this issue, consumers can take several steps to reduce their data usage. For example, they can switch to lower-resolution video streaming options, limit their usage of data-intensive applications, or turn off automatic updates on their devices. They can also monitor their data usage by regularly checking their data usage reports provided by their internet service provider or using third-party data monitoring apps.
“Internet service providers can also take steps to help consumers manage their data usage. They can offer data usage alerts to notify customers when they are nearing their data limit, provide tools for customers to monitor their data usage, and offer data rollover or top-up options for customers who need more data. Additionally, internet service providers can work to improve network efficiency and reduce data consumption by optimizing their networks and implementing data compression technologies.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NCC Chairman, Professor Adeolu Akande, made this known on Thursday at the NCC fifth edition of Campus Conversation held at the University of Ibadan.
The commission, however, sensitised students of the university on how to manage their data usage on mobile telecommunications networks to reduce the rate of data depletion.
Akande, represented by Mrs. Afure Iloka, Special Assistant to the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, said that consumers’ complaints were the reason why NCC, through its Consumers Affairs Bureau (CAB), embarked on the sensitization exercise.
According to him, this was to educate telecommunications consumers on various ways to manage their internet data.
He said that the campus conversation initiative sought to educate students on the various consumer-centric initiatives of NCC toward protecting the telecommunications consumers against unfair practices by Service Providers.
“This initiative is consistent with the mandate of the Commission to Protect, Inform and Educate the Nigerian Telecom Consumers.
“One of the mandates of the commission is the ‘Protection of the rights and interests of Consumers’.
“This can only be achieved when consumers are well informed and educated on their rights and obligations as telecom consumers.
“This conversation is also in tandem with the Strategic Management Plan (SMP 2020-2024) of the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, which is to improve the quality of experience and stakeholders’ satisfaction.
“The conversation strengthens our focus on the protection of the rights, privileges, and interests of telecommunications consumers, including people living with disability and the elderly through information dissemination,” Akande, the NCC chairman said in explaining the depletion of internet data.
Also, the Head of Consumers Affairs, Mr. Ayanbanji Ojo, said that a consumer would experience a high rate of data depletion when such consumer turn on automatic updates of apps, videos, and pictures to the cloud on smartphones.
Ojo said that faster download speeds due to 4G coverage and downloading on higher defaults video formats like 5G and 4G compared to 3G and 2G mobile networks could also result to a high rate of data depletion.
The NCC chief noted that consumers could manage their data usage by the use of data compression in phone browsers, disable mobile data when internet connection not needed and by reducing video streaming quality from video sites such as YouTube as ways of stemming fast depletion of data.
In his remarks, Mr Babagana Digima, Team Lead, Nigeria Office for Developing Indigenous Telecoms Sectors (NODITS), said that Nigerian youths remain greatest assets within the telecom ecosystem in the country.
Responding, Mrs Adewole Adeyinka, President, UI Students Union Government (SUG), lauded the efforts of NCC on data usage sensitisation initiative and other programmes targeted at youths development.
Adeyinka urged NCC management to improve on its support programmes for students through provisions of laptops and other educational materials that would ensure smooth academic process.
