5G, online presence and high-resolution devices drive high data consumption – MTN

In an attempt to clarify what drives subscribers’ data consumption and how the billing works from the backend, MTN Nigeria has noted that the influx of new technologies and network advancements drives increased data usage.

At MTN Nigeria’s Data on trial event in Lagos on Saturday, Mike Ndukwe, General Manager of Network Performance & Quality Assurance, noted that the kind of device in use determines the speed at which mobile data drains. In short, the more advanced or new the smartphone model is, the faster the data consumption.

“The more recent technology you use, the more data you consume, because it’s like a pipe,” he said. 

Michael added that new 4G/5G smartphones are now optimised to give users an improved and the best experience yet. However, the cost of this is that data now runs down faster than before due to the speed of internet usage and its high-resolution patterns.

“If you go now, you want to watch a 30-minute video, it takes you 10 minutes because you have to wait for it to buffer. But because of the new technology, you are watching those things in real time. Videos are preloaded for you to watch and all that,” he added. 

In his empirical breakdown, he displayed how a device plays a crucial role in data consumption by interacting with network towers and internet servers, and then hosting the content to the user. In those few seconds of tapping on an app or inputting a URL, the device has performed several unimaginable activities. 

Aside from the device and 5G technology advancements, the length of time spent online, activities explored during those periods and autoplay videos are identified as drivers. Also, backups through mobile data, background-running apps, auto update apps are contributing to high data usage. 

The MTN executive argued that while data consumption might be a mystery sometimes, the fact remains that there’s no data depletion. 

He mentioned how KPMG, an independent and widely trusted consultancy firm, audited their data billing backend for between April 1 and the end of May, only to find no unfair deductions or charges. 

Before the trial, the firm was engaged to carry out an independent validation on MTN Nigeria’s Data Analyser Portal, a website restricted to MTN Teams and internal authorised members, which is used in tracking patterns of subscribers’ data usage and activities. 

According to the KPMG representative, the independent validation confirms a perfect alignment between what is captured on the portal and what is reflected at the back end.

“Our validation confirms a perfect alignment between what is displayed on the portal and the actual usage that is charged to customers from the charging system.”

“We can say and ascertain that the Data Analyser Portal actually captures an accurate representation of what is charged to customers at the back end,” the representative noted. 

Also Read: MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola links absence of unlimited plans on mobile to need for survival

Data depletion: MTN’s transparency on test

In a world where online presence and smartphone penetration are driving the telecoms industry, operators are on the hot seat to deliver the quality of service embedded with fairness and accountability. 

While MTN executives took turns to defend its data billing system, clarifying how things have moved from 2G/3G to 4G/5G and the presence of advanced smartphones compared to five years ago, the prosecuting counsel felt it was too perfect.

Led by Barr. Timi Agbaje, the team, which represents Nigerians, argued that MTN didn’t concede to having issues on its end. It also argued that not all high data billing emanates from the reasons provided, since nothing is perfect.

However, Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, said the company was not claiming to be perfect or suggesting that system issues never occur. He pointed out that the event seeks to display transparency, that there’s no data depletion, and MTN has nothing to gain in stealing subscribers’ data. 

He mentioned that MTN acknowledges that people are confused and that’s why they are complaining. But they’ve been trying to educate on how data really works, and the event is also a way of orienting users. 

“We have not found a discrepancy in the past. But because we know that this is a sensitive matter and that people don’t just pick up their phones or come to us just because they are bad. They are genuinely confused from time to time, and people can be surprised when we show them some things that are happening on their phone,” he added. 

While customers still find it hard to understand how their mobile data acts somehow and suddenly drains faster, an unfavourable economic situation has fueled the concern. With an increase in tariffs and inflation of general goods and services, Nigerians demand to enjoy the value of their money in real terms. 

Once a customer complains, MTN says they try to uncover the internet experience, check the data analyser and educate the customer on how the system works.