Why data may be used even when mobile data is switched off – MTN

MTN Nigeria has explained why subscribers may experience unexpected data consumption, following widespread complaints that monthly data plans sometimes run out within a few days.

The explanation was given at the MTN Nigeria Data on Trial public forum, hosted by media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on Monday.

During the programme, a keynote speaker stated that data consumption could still occur even when mobile data was switched off.

A member of the defence team subsequently explained that applications running on mobile devices could contribute to data consumption, noting that data usage accumulated by certain applications or services might be reflected when connectivity was restored.

The discussion comes amid growing concerns among Nigerian subscribers over the rapid depletion of their data bundles, with some users questioning why plans expected to last a month sometimes expire within days.

However, whether a phone consumes mobile data while its mobile data setting is switched off depends on the device, network configuration and the type of connection being used.

Generally, applications cannot use a mobile network connection when mobile data is properly switched off. However, data may still be consumed through Wi-Fi, and some applications may continue performing background activities when connectivity becomes available again.

Subscribers who experience unusually rapid data depletion can check their phones’ data-usage settings to identify applications consuming the most data and review their background-data permissions.

The discussion at the MTN forum has renewed attention on the need for clearer explanations of data billing and greater transparency in how mobile data usage is recorded.

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