Data depletion: NCC shifts blame to user habits, not telcos

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Nigerian telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has weighed in on the ongoing debate about unexplained data depletion experienced by mobile phone users.

In a surprising move, the NCC has absolved telecom companies of fault, instead pointing towards factors like malware, background apps, and location services as the culprits behind rapid data consumption.

This stance by the NCC is likely to spark further conversation. Many users have long suspected telecom operators of manipulating data bundles or employing deceptive billing practices.

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The NCC’s statement suggests a focus on user education regarding data management.

The commission highlighted several data drain culprits:

• Background Apps: Many applications continue to consume data even when not actively in use. These background processes can significantly eat into a user’s data allowance.
• Automatic Updates: Automatic updates for apps, operating systems, and other software can also be data guzzlers.
• Location Services: Extensive use of GPS and other location-based services, especially with navigation apps, can lead to high data consumption.
• Data-Hungry Ads: The NCC pointed out that in-app advertisements can also silently consume data, even if users don’t click on them.
• Roaming Charges: Data usage while traveling abroad can incur significant roaming fees, leading to quick data depletion.

The NCC’s statement advises users to be mindful of these factors and take steps to manage their data consumption more effectively. This could involve monitoring app permissions, disabling background app refresh, and opting out of automatic updates on mobile data.

While the NCC’s perspective sheds light on user-controllable aspects of data consumption, it remains to be seen if this addresses the concerns of those who suspect unfair practices by telecom companies. It’s likely that the debate on data depletion in Nigeria will continue.