N3.67trn spent on data: Get tips on how to save your bundles

Nigerians spent about N3.67 trillion on internet data in the first half of 2026, according to figures from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), even as mobile subscribers continue to complain that their data bundles disappear faster than expected.

Experts and industry stakeholders, however, say the problem is not always with the network. In many cases, smartphone settings and applications quietly consume large amounts of data in the background.

From high-definition video streaming and automatic updates to cloud backups and WhatsApp downloads, several everyday activities can rapidly deplete a subscriber’s data bundle without the user realising it.

Video streaming tops the list
Video streaming remains one of the biggest consumers of mobile data.

According to the NCC, watching high-definition video on platforms such as YouTube, Netflix and TikTok can consume approximately 1GB per hour, while higher-quality settings can push consumption to about 3GB per hour.

Many streaming applications automatically increase video quality when they detect a fast internet connection. This means subscribers using 4G or faster networks may unknowingly consume considerably more data.

Experts therefore advise subscribers to reduce streaming quality, particularly when using mobile data. Setting YouTube to 480p or activating Data Saver on TikTok can significantly reduce consumption.

Downloading videos and other content while connected to Wi-Fi and watching them later can also help subscribers preserve their mobile bundles.

Automatic updates silently eat into bundles
Another major source of unexpected data consumption is automatic app and system updates.

Smartphones are often configured to download updates in the background, sometimes overnight when the owner is not actively using the device.

The NCC advises subscribers to configure their devices so that applications are updated only when connected to Wi-Fi.

On Android devices, users can change the setting through the Google Play Store, while iPhone users can manage automatic updates through Settings > App Store > App Updates.

Network operators are also providing tools to help subscribers understand their consumption.

MTN’s data-management services allow customers to monitor usage, while Airtel and Globacom provide account and data-management functions through their respective self-care platforms.

Background activity can drain data
Apps do not necessarily stop using data when a subscriber closes them.

Email applications may continue checking for new messages, social media platforms can refresh content, news applications may preload images and headlines, while weather and location-based applications can periodically update information.

Although each individual activity may consume only a small amount of data, experts say the cumulative effect can become significant when numerous applications are operating in the background.

The NCC recommends restricting background data for applications that do not need constant internet access.

Subscribers can review their device’s data-usage settings to identify applications consuming the most data and disable background activity where necessary.

Cloud backups are another hidden consumer

Cloud storage services such as Google Photos and iCloud can also consume substantial amounts of mobile data.

Smartphones may automatically back up photographs and videos soon after they are captured. A single high-quality video can occupy hundreds of megabytes, meaning several days or weeks of automatic backups can quickly consume a sizeable data bundle.

Subscribers who want to conserve data should configure cloud backup services to operate only over Wi-Fi.

This is particularly important for users who regularly take videos at weddings, parties, ceremonies and other events, where multiple large files can be generated within a short period.

WhatsApp groups can become data traps

For millions of Nigerians, WhatsApp is an essential communication and business tool. But active group chats can also become a major source of data consumption.

Depending on the user’s settings, WhatsApp can automatically download photographs, videos, audio files and documents received through individual and group chats.

A subscriber belonging to several busy groups may therefore download hundreds of files in a day without deliberately opening them. Many of these files may never be viewed.

Users can reduce this consumption by going to WhatsApp Settings > Storage and Data and changing media auto-download settings. Selecting Wi-Fi only, or disabling automatic downloads for certain types of media, can significantly reduce unnecessary mobile-data consumption.

Knowing where the data goes is the first step

Experts say subscribers cannot effectively control their data consumption without first knowing which applications are responsible for the biggest share of their usage.
The NCC similarly advises subscribers to regularly check data usage through their smartphone settings, restrict background activity for non-essential applications and contact their network provider where consumption appears inconsistent with their actual usage.

For subscribers struggling to make a data bundle last, experts say the solution may therefore be less about buying a bigger bundle and more about controlling what the smartphone is doing behind the scenes.

Reducing video quality, restricting automatic updates, disabling unnecessary background activity, limiting cloud backups to Wi-Fi and turning off WhatsApp auto-downloads can collectively make a significant difference in how long a data bundle lasts.