We’re Not Stealing Your Data – MTN Explains Why Subscribers Run Out Of Data

Telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria has dismissed allegations that it deliberately deducts subscribers’ data, attributing the rapid exhaustion of data bundles to smartphone settings, application activity and internet usage habits.

The company explained that activities such as high-resolution video streaming, automatic downloads, background applications and cloud backups can consume significant amounts of data, sometimes without users realising how quickly their subscriptions are being depleted.

According to Bush Radio Academy, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of Network Performance, Mike Ndukwe, addressed the concerns on Monday in Abuja on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit.

Ndukwe acknowledged subscribers’ concerns over the cost of mobile data but maintained that data consumption generally results from activities initiated by users or their devices rather than deliberate deductions by the telecommunications provider.

“We’re not stealing your data. However, we completely understand how it feels, especially right now, where every amount counts. But the honest answer is that data is not taken without an action, either your action or your phone,” he said.

The MTN executive urged subscribers to review their smartphone settings and take greater control of their internet consumption to prevent unnecessary data usage.

He explained that although simple WhatsApp text messages typically consume little data, activities such as watching status updates, viewing videos, participating in group conversations and automatically downloading media files can significantly increase consumption.

Ndukwe also identified applications such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp as platforms whose data consumption varies according to video quality, automatic playback settings and download frequency.

He specifically warned that enabling automatic media downloads on WhatsApp could cause data bundles to deplete quickly, particularly when users receive large numbers of images and videos.

“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 explained.

To help subscribers manage their data more efficiently, Ndukwe recommended disabling automatic downloads, lowering video-streaming resolution, activating data-saving features and regularly monitoring data consumption through their smartphone settings.

Meanwhile, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager of IT Operations, David Ogunsola, explained that differences could arise between the data consumption displayed on customers’ devices and the figures recorded by the telecommunications network.

According to Ogunsola, such discrepancies may result from differences in measurement methods, background data traffic and the timing of internet sessions.

“The data that you measure on your devices is slightly different from what traverses over the network and what’s on the charge,” he said.

Ogunsola further clarified that the type of network connection available to a subscriber, whether 3G or 4G, primarily influences internet speed rather than automatically determining the volume of data consumed.

He noted that the amount of data used depends more on the activities performed online and the settings of the applications being accessed.

Speaking on the cost of telecommunications services, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola highlighted the significant expenses associated with maintaining the company’s network infrastructure.

Toriola explained that the company bears substantial costs for electricity, transportation and the maintenance of telecommunications sites, factors that contribute to the overall cost of providing services to subscribers.

He appealed to Nigerians to understand the operational challenges involved in running telecommunications infrastructure in the country, particularly the need for operators to provide power and transportation to network sites.

The company’s remarks come amid continuing concerns among Nigerian subscribers over the speed at which mobile data subscriptions are exhausted and the affordability of internet access.

While MTN maintains that smartphone settings and online activities account for much of the rapid consumption, subscribers can compare their device-level usage records with available network usage information to better understand their individual data consumption.