Mobile Network Operators in Nigeria are taking new steps to tackle long-standing complaints from subscribers about rapid data depletion by introducing greater transparency tools.

Industry sources say one of the proposed solutions is a “data calculator” that would allow users to track how their data is consumed on a daily basis, according to Nairameteics.

Operators already provide daily usage reports showing data consumed the previous day, in line with directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission aimed at improving transparency.

An official of one of the telecom operators, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, said complaints from subscribers over data depletion have become a growing concern in the industry, as it increasingly affects customer trust.

“An average subscriber believes their service provider steals their data once their data is exhausted before time or depletes faster than they expected, which is not true.

“Over the years, we have tried to enlighten the subscribers on factors that could lead to their data being depleted fast, which include smartphone functionality, among others.

“And now, we are looking at tools that could show the subscribers not just what they have used, but also how they have used it to further promote transparency,” the source said.

He added that operators are also stepping up sensitisation campaigns to help subscribers better understand the factors that can cause data to be depleted more quickly.

In December 2024, the NCC said it had conducted an audit of mobile networks and found no “major” issues of data depletion, contrary to widespread complaints from subscribers.

According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, the audit, completed in the third quarter of 2024—identified only minor issues on the networks, which the regulator said were already being addressed.

“We had a hypothesis that it isn’t true that there is a data depletion issue in the industry. It could be perception.

“So the first thing we did was that we immediately conducted a billing audit on the systems of the major MNOs, using reputable auditors. That exercise was completed in Q3 of this year (2024) and surprisingly, we didn’t find any major issues,” he said.

Amid rising complaints from subscribers, the NCC’s Consumer Affairs Bureau also issued a sensitisation notice highlighting several reasons users may experience faster-than-expected data depletion.