LAGOS — MTN Nigeria has dismissed allegations that it is “stealing” internet data from its system, attributing complaints of rapid depletion to customer activity, advanced device capabilities, and background configurations.
The telecommunications provider addressed growing concerns over rapid data consumption during a briefing with journalists and content creators in Lagos.
Company engineers and technology teams detailed how data is measured, tracked, and billed across the network.
Michael Ndukwe, a senior manager for core network implementation at MTN Nigeria, said many subscribers misunderstand how data is consumed, particularly with the growing adoption of high-speed 4G and 5G networks.
“We usually hear the concern that MTN is stealing my data,” Mr. Ndukwe said. “I’m here to take you step by step through exactly how your data is used.”
How data is consumed
Using a TikTok video as an example, Mr Ndukwe explained that mobile data is not used when a device merely connects to the network or undergoes authentication checks.
Instead, significant data usage begins only when a user requests online content, such as a video, which is then delivered through the network in “packets” and reassembled on the device.
He explained that the network first confirms a subscriber is registered, has an active data bundle, and is authorised to access internet services before establishing a session.
“Data is not taken from you without your action. When you stream, scroll, download or share, you are using data. It’s as simple as that,” Mr Ndukwe said.
He added that subscribers often assume operators are unfairly deducting data because consumption rates on modern networks differ significantly from older 2G and 3G technologies. Faster networks are designed to support richer content and provide a better experience, which requires greater data usage.
The impact of video and auto-play
Video resolution remains one of the largest drivers of data consumption, according to the network provider.
A 15-second TikTok video viewed in standard definition may consume between two and three megabytes (MB) of data. However, the same video watched in high definition (HD) could use up to 15 MB. A one-gigabyte (GB) bundle could allow a subscriber to watch hundreds of standard-definition videos, but far fewer in HD.
MTN also pointed to autoplay features on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Many of these applications automatically preload content in the background to prevent buffering, meaning users consume data even while casually scrolling past videos.
“Even before you click a video, they keep changing,” Mr. Ndukwe said. “Those apps are already downloading content in the background so that there is no buffering.”
Background updates and hotspots
Hotspot sharing, cloud backups, automatic software updates, and connected devices were also identified as factors that accelerate data consumption.
Many modern smartphones are configured to automatically synchronise photos, videos, and application data during off-peak hours, often when users are asleep. Furthermore, subscribers who share internet access through mobile hotspots experience faster depletion because multiple devices consume data simultaneously.
To illustrate the impact of faster technologies, Mr Ndukwe compared 4G and 5G data consumption to drinking through a wider straw.
“If you have a cup of water and you’re sipping with a small straw, it will last longer. If you use a bigger straw, you’ll finish it faster. You’ll enjoy it more, but consumption is higher,” he said.
Device readings versus network records
David Ogunshola, a member of MTN’s information technology team, said discrepancies between data usage records displayed on customers’ devices and those recorded by the network are normal.
Devices typically track only user activities and application-level consumption, whereas the network records the entire data session, including the signalling required to establish and maintain connectivity. Discrepancies can also arise from different measurement standards used by device manufacturers and network systems.
Mr Ogunshola noted that these differences are usually marginal but become more noticeable as overall data volumes increase.
The evolution from basic mobile phones to smartphones, smart televisions, gaming consoles, and wearable devices has fundamentally altered data consumption because modern hardware is optimised to deliver higher-quality experiences by default.
“The more sophisticated the device, the more it is optimised for quality,” Mr. Ogunshola said. “If you do not adjust those configurations, the device will always try to give you the best possible experience, and that comes with higher data usage.”
MTN said it provides tools to help customers monitor and manage their consumption, including the MyMTN application, data usage alerts, and management features that allow subscribers to set limits and restrict background activities.
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