Inundated with complaints about fast depletion of data after the daily, weekly and monthly subscriptions of data bundles from telecom service providers, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has traced such fast data depletion to the advancement and explosion of new technologies across the globe.

The NCC, which exonerated telecoms subscribers from being responsible for fast data depletion, blamed the situation on the advancement of new technologies that have high rates of data consumption due to its increased download speed and connectivity speed at very low latency.

Telecoms consumers have continually complained to the NCC about the high rate at which their data bundles are consumed, shortly after they subscribe to the available data plans offered by telecoms subscribers.

Some of the subscribers had complained that their monthly data subscription plan does not last for one month before it is exhausted and they are immediately cut off from having access to the internet, while some said within few hours of their daily and weekly data plans subscription, they would be automatically disconnected from the internet, not allowing them to enjoy full browsing of the internet.

Addressing a large audience at the 91st edition of the Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP), which held recently in Abuja, with the theme- ‘Data Depletion:

Discussions on Various Perspectives’, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, in his opening remarks, said: “We are gathered to deliberate on the issue of data depletion, which has become one of the most prevalent complaints received from the telecom consumers in the wake of their recent migration to 4G/LTE technology.

“Consumers have been experiencing depletion of their data either as a result of data usage or consumption, and are constantly informing the commission of their experience through our various complaints channels. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for the global explosion of new technologies, which opened up an array of services, dynamic business models and new opportunities and markets globally. The Nigerian telecom industry was not left out, going by the documented upsurge in the use of computers, smartphones, smartwatches, and other technology- dependent devices, which have given consumers access to multi-functional comfort and utility. Technology has eased interaction for a majority of the populace using social and instant messaging applications. No doubt, the underlying technology for these services is the internet, which drives connectivity. It is within the context of the subscription and usage of the internet that consumers are experiencing what they refer to as abnormal depletion of their data.”

According to Danbatta, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) all over the world have had to face challenges occasioned by emerging technologies. Particularly during the pandemic, employees and students alike were forced to operate from home during the lockdown, which stretched the existing infrastructure to its limits.

“This deliberation could therefore not have come at a more auspicious time, as Nigeria moves with the rest of the world towards 5G technology following the issuance of 3.5GHz spectrum licenses to MTN Nigeria Communications

Limited, MAFAB Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited. It is pertinent to know that whereas 4G offers better download speeds, higher bandwidth and voice quality than 3G technology, 5G technology provides the additional benefits of ultra-high speed data, low latency and higher bandwidth over 4G technology. It is therefore important that we completely appreciate and understand the issues surrounding data depletion, its usage and consumption in the era of 4G technology, before we fully commence 5G usage,” Danbatta said.

Head, Consumer Affairs Bureau at NCC, Mr. Ayanbanji Ojo, said: “As a nation, we have struggled with the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, which necessitated an upsurge in the use of data-enabled devices for communication, whether for school, work or social interaction. Our Mobile Network Operators have also had to upgrade their infrastructure so as to accommodate the extra pressure brought on by streaming platforms necessary for consumers to work, school and socialise.”

(Text, excluding headline: THISDAY)

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