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Smartphone settings, background applications and faster network technologies are influencing how Nigerians consume mobile data, with technology experts urging users to understand their device configurations to better manage data usage.
The issue featured at MTN Nigeria’s Data on Trial engagement in Abuja, where industry stakeholders examined how smartphone capabilities, network technology and digital habits affect data consumption and customers’ understanding of mobile data billing.
Speaking at the engagement, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Karl Toriola, said consumer education was essential to helping subscribers understand the factors responsible for data consumption, including activities running in the background of their mobile devices.
According to him, MTN’s Data on Trial initiative provides an opportunity to educate consumers on how phone settings and background activities influence data usage.
“Data on Trial helps people understand how their phone settings and background activities affect their data consumption,” Toriola said.
He added that the telecommunications company was using its social media platforms to share practical videos and tips to help subscribers monitor their data balances and make informed decisions about their mobile usage.
Also, sales manager for Xiaomi in Nigeria’s North-West region, Kelvin Kojode, said growing demand for smartphones had accelerated technological developments, including dual-SIM functionality, embedded SIM (eSIM) technology and fifth-generation (5G) connectivity.
He explained that while 5G technology provides faster internet speeds, it also enables users to access data-intensive services, including high-resolution video streaming and other applications that could influence consumption levels.
Beyond network speed, experts noted that individual usage patterns and device configurations also determine how quickly mobile data is consumed.
Video streaming, automatic software updates, cloud synchronisation and background application processes are among the activities that can contribute to data usage, depending on application settings, content quality and user behaviour.
Understanding these processes, they noted, could help consumers take greater control of their data consumption by adjusting device settings and monitoring applications that use data in the background.
MTN Nigeria launched the Data on Trial initiative in Lagos in June 2026 to provide a platform for consumers and industry stakeholders to examine concerns surrounding data depletion, usage measurement and billing accuracy.
The initiative has since been extended to university engagements at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Abia State University; and the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina.
At the Abuja engagement, discussions focused on billing accuracy, background application activity, automatic updates, cloud synchronisation, video streaming and connectivity across multiple devices.
The gathering brought together policymakers, technology experts, consumer advocates, media professionals and digital influencers to examine issues affecting consumers’ understanding of mobile data usage.
As mobile connectivity becomes increasingly central to communication, education, commerce and business, understanding how smartphones and digital habits influence data consumption is becoming important for consumers seeking to manage their internet spending.
Through the Data on Trial initiative, MTN Nigeria said it would continue engaging consumers and industry stakeholders to improve public understanding of mobile data usage and the technology behind telecommunications services.
