Justice Okamgba writes on tips smartphone users can adopt to effectively manage and reduce their data consumption
Experts have attributed technical and non-technical factors to the issue of data depletion among telecommunications subscribers.
A recent report from cable.co.uk placed Nigeria at 31st among countries with the cheapest data, boasting an average price of $0.39 per 1GB.
However, substantial discrepancies exist within the country, with 1GB costs ranging from $0.13 to a high of $1.64.
According to the 2023 Digital Quality of Life Index, Nigerians work 35 hours, 25 minutes a month to afford fixed broadband Internet, while Romanians work 18 minutes a month to afford it.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the Nigeria Communications Commission, Edoyemi Ogoh, mentioned that automatic updates of apps and automatic uploads of videos and pictures to the cloud on smartphones contribute significantly to data depletion.
Other technical factors, according to Ogoh, include the increase in internet speed due to migration to 4G, adding that migration automatically plays videos in high-quality formats, thus consuming more data.
Experts recommended a multi-faceted approach, including manual control of automatic updates and uploads, adjusting video quality settings, and identifying and managing data-hungry apps.
The Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission, Reuben Muoka, told The PUNCH: “Check your usage. 1G as it was before is what it is today.
“The difference is that you may be running much faster on your data because of an improvement in network quality or you may have been using a lot of apps downloading or uploading without your knowledge.
“You may be making voice and video calls on WhatsApp or downloading huge videos on your phone from multiple groups, etc. That is the difference,” he said.
Nigeria holds the 11th position globally in terms of internet penetration, according to NCC.
Experts attributed the growth in internet usage in Nigeria to several factors, including the increased availability of affordable internet access devices, enhanced network infrastructure, and the expanding digital economy.
Enable data-saver mode
A software developer, Ifeanyi Ojukwu, advised users to enable data-saver mode and leverage data-saving browsers and apps to curtail data consumption.
Additionally, Ojukwu suggested the use of data compression apps such as Opera Max or Chrome Data Saver to minimise data usage, emphasising the importance of setting data limits through phone settings and receiving warnings when approaching those limits.
He added that another tip was to disable automatic app updates.
He said, “Some apps are known for consuming excessive data in the background. Regularly check data usage statistics on your device and identify which apps are consuming the most data.
“If you use Google Maps, go to offline maps and download maps for navigation. Then, you can use them with only GPS turned on, which doesn’t use mobile data.”
Digital literacy
A cybersecurity analyst at SAP, Chukwuka Madumere, advised users to explore those cost-effective data plans, emphasising the role of digital literacy in empowering subscribers to make informed decisions about their data usage.
He further recommended utilising offline modes and downloading features in apps to store content for later use.
He highlighted the benefits of that approach for music and video streaming services, noting that by downloading content over Wi-Fi, users could enjoy their favourite media without relying on mobile data each time
He said, “By implementing these strategies, you can effectively reduce your mobile data usage and potentially lower your monthly expenses.”
Turn off non-essential apps
An ICT student, who identified himself as Akajiaku Ufomba, said he usually turned off cellular data for non-essential apps.
“When I get to school I just switch on the Wifi. Another thing I do is subscribe to midnight plans, at least you can get 500MB with just N50 if you are on MTN Pulse. This is what I do almost every day. You can even go as far as 2GB.
“It is not only MTN that offers that, Glo does and I am sure Airtel does as well. This is what I have been doing for years,” he remarked.
Stakeholders in the sector had continually maintained that NCC’s role in regulating telcos was crucial for maintaining a fair and competitive market, safeguarding consumers’ interests, and promoting the development of telecommunications services in Nigeria.
Battery save mode
An Android user on Reddit suggested, “I recommend these tips for you to lower your data usage. With them, I use less than 3GB of cellular data a month, even though I watch/listen to more than 100 hours of video and audio a month on my phone.
“You don’t have to be as extreme as me, but find the balance between data usage and ease of use.”
The user advised data users to put their phone in “battery save mode” whenever possible to halt background data loading.
Additionally, the user recommended going to app settings and disabling notifications for apps like Discord, Slack, Facebook, Instagram, etc., as those apps tend to use a significant amount of data in the background.