*The Nigerian Communications Commission offers practical tips on how telecoms consumers can closely and constantly monitor their data usage to authenticate their actual consumption level in the digital ecosystem

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Following increasing concerns about speedy data depletion on their devices in recent times coupled with the need to get value for money, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged telecoms consumers to closely and constantly monitor their data usage to authenticate their actual consumption level.

绿帽献妻 reports the NCC, as part of its consumer education and sensitisation initiatives, enjoined telecoms subscribers to always contact their service providers to clarify observed cases of discrepancies in their data usage in the ecosystem.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission also explained the consumers are expected to contact their service providers to request their usage history/statement where any inconsistencies exist in their data usage as first step.

The NCC as well said concerned consumers might also escalate such data usage issues to the Commission through its toll-free Number 622, and its various social media platforms, especially if their requests are not satisfactorily handled.

The Commission restated that part of its core mandate is the need to inform the consumers that addressing their concerns is part of its commitment to protect and appropriately inform and educate the telecoms stakeholders, including consumers on industry issues.

Insight on data speed and usage

In regard to data speed and usage, the telecoms regulator further noted that data speed is the speed at which data is transferred between two devices, measured in megabits per second (Mbps or mbps).

It stressed that in view of the spread of Internet services and the immense investment in the sector of the economy, data rates have continued to increase and users may be unaware of how to measure data speed.

The Commission disclosed that Web sites like www.fast.com also provide an easy way for consumers to measure Internet speed on any device at any location within the telecoms environment.

It stated: 鈥淭he higher the data speed, the quicker pages load-downloads and uploads-occur and expectedly, the quicker data bundles are exhausted.

“So, as telecoms consumers are able to do more on devices in less time, some consumers鈥� devices and network service providers make it possible to limit data speed to help users manage data usage better.”

The NCC said: 鈥淚n any case, most devices now include functions to measure data used by devices.

“It is imperative that users monitor same to authenticate data usage, such as applications left running on devices.”

The Commission averred: “Therefore, where discrepancies occur, users may contact their service provider to request for their usage history/statement.

“If request is not dealt with satisfactorily then, users can contact NCC by calling 622 or engage the Commission via its social media platforms.鈥�

The data usage experience is a function of location, network equipment, and users connected in a particular location, the NCC stated.

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