Nigerians confused, frustrated over fast depletion rate of internet data

Many subscribers assume that the escalating operational expenses amid Nigeria's economic challenges may have compelled telecom operators in the country to diminish the value of data packages offered to customers.

This development comes despite a report ranking Nigeria among the cheapest African countries to purchase mobile data in 2023.

Data depletion occurs when users exhaust their data bundle before its expiration date or when additional data volume is consumed while accessing online content.

Instances of data exhaustion grievances from users have become widespread across diverse social media platforms and offline channels.

Legit.ng's investigations reveal that a data bundle priced at N3,500, typically lasting two to three weeks for an average internet user, is depleted in less than a week. Simi Olokoyede, a student at the University of Lagos, told Legit.ng that she used to subscribe to monthly data of N6,500 for 25G, but it now only lasts for two weeks.

She said: I subscribe for MTN's 12G for N6,500 every month. I use it for browsing and going on all of my social media accounts and it used to last me for the entire month. But I have noticed that in the last few months, it gets exhausted before the end of the month. My last subscription finished in a little over two weeks.

Uzor Maduka, a data analyst in Lagos, told the same story of how he was surprised to see his 75G data deplete faster than usual.

He said: I buy 75G for my work and I mostly don't exhaust it for a month even though my office pays for my monthly subscription.

But recently, I found out that the 75G is no longer enough for me for one monthly. Now I can no longer go to tell my company that I need more data money.

Numerous other data consumers shared similar experiences of rapid data depletion on different social media platforms. While acknowledging the possible impact of economic pressures on telecommunications companies leading to a reduction in data value, consumers, however, urged the government to address the issue.

Telecom companies in Nigeria insist that data tariffs have not increased recently and remain the same as the last approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Speaking anonymously, a senior official in MTN Nigeria told Legit.ng that despite operators' insistence on an upward review of the current data prices, they are yet to get approval from the NCC.

He said: If we are being honest, the rate of data we charge subscribers is quite low, especially when you take into account the current economic realities. Foreign exchange is high, inflation is on the rise and the cost of everything has shifted upwards.

So why not telecom services and products? Advocating for an increase in data tariff, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) stated that the current tariff regime in the sector was no longer sustainable.

He said: “The current pricing regime in the industry is not sustainable. We are selling below cost, Too cheap. It is not easy to go about that, but market forces should be allowed to determine prices.”