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When you subscribe to a mobile data plan, you are entitled to a certain amount of data over a fixed period of time. This will allow your mobile phone or laptop have access the internet for an amount of time. However, there are multiple causes for data to get exhausted earlier than expected. These causes include;

  • Sending and receiving emails,
  • Downloading and uploading files (pictures, documents, videos, etc.) – the larger the file, the more the data consumption,
  • Browsing the internet – the more pictures, videos or graphics on the websites visited, the more data is used,
  • Instant Messaging – like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc.
  • Streaming music/ videos on YouTube, Hulu, Netflix and other channels,
  • Games – games use a lot more data than most people imagine, due to the intense graphics and algorithms that power them,
  • Social media applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
  • Video-chatting and conferencing applications like Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp Video, etc.

Ways to Reduce Early Data Exhaustion

The following are various ways or tips by which you can reduce early or suspicious data exhaustion on your mobile devices:

  1. Update app over Wi-fi connection only.
  2. Disable mobile data and close apps when not in use.
  3. Delete unused apps as they might be running despite not in use.
  4. Limit the use of data-hungry apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok etc.
  5. Disable auto downloads especially for Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram and X apps.
  6. Turn off automatic updates for apps on mobile devices.
  7. Use Wi-fi connection when possible to send videos, pictures and big files to minimize data consumption.
  8. Cache Google maps for offline use.
  9. Keep an eye on your apps and monitor time spent on social media.
  10. Be mindful of the websites you visit. The more the pictures, videos or graphics on the site, the more data is consumed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Internet Data Usage?What is Internet Data Usage?

A. Internet data is a service provided by telecom service operators to the end-users to enable them to access the Internet. The speed of the access and the nature of activities that the consumer can carry out often depend on the nature of the technology in use. Access technologies are usually classified into “Generations” to denote their age and characteristics, as follows:

  1. a) 2nd Generation Technology (i.e. 2G) is circuit-switched technology which is relatively low-speed GPRS, EDGE mode or their equivalents.
  2. b) 3rd Generation Technology (3G) is packet and circuit-switched and is in HSPA, HSPA​+ m​ ode or their equivalents.
  3. c) whilst 4th Generation Technology (4G) is packet-switched technology, that is, LTE, LTE-A mode or their equivalents.
  4. D) 5th Generation Technology (5G) is designed to increase speed, reduce latency, and improve the flexibility of wireless services.

Each of these technologies provides different speeds and protocols for using the internet. Newer generations of phones are usually designed ​to be backwards-compatible, so a 5G phone can communicate through a 4G, 3G or even 2G network.

What does G stand for?What does G stand for?

A. As explained above, “G” stands for “GENERATION”. When you connect to the internet, the speed of your internet access is dependent upon the signal strength and the access technology. The technology is shown in alphabets like 2G, 3G, 4G 5G etc. right next to the signal bar on your mobile phone’s home screen.

Does the usage of 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G have any impact on data exhaustion? Can this also lead to fast data depletion?Does the usage of 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G have any impact on data exhaustion? Can this also lead to fast data depletion?

A. The higher the Generation, the higher the speed, and consequently the better your browsing experience i.e. browsing on a lower Generation is slower but would still consume the same quantity of data (bytes/MB/GB).  In addition, the device resolution has a great impact on the data consumption. i.e Highest video quality consumes more.

What is Mobile Data?What is Mobile Data?

A. Mobile data is internet content accessed by or delivered to your phone over a wireless/cellular (i.e. mobile) connection. When you purchase mobile data plans, you are entitled to a certain amount of data over a fixed period. You can also access the internet through Wi-Fi connections depending on whether you have access to that particular Wi-Fi network. With mobile data, however, you can use the internet as long as your phone can detect your network’s data signals, and you have an active data plan on that network. Therefore, mobile data is what allows your phone to get online when you are away from Wi-Fi.

What causes Data Consumption/Usage/Depletion?What causes Data Consumption/Usage/Depletion?

A. Your data is used whenever your phone connects to the internet. The following activities are the most common uses that reduce your data:

  • Sending and receiving emails,
  • Downloading and uploading files (pictures, documents, videos, etc.) – the larger the file, the more the data consumption,
  • Browsing the internet – the more pictures, videos or graphics on the websites visited, the more data is used,
  • Instant Messaging – like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc.
  • Streaming music/ videos on YouTube, Hulu, Netflix and other channels,
  • Games – games use a lot more data than most people imagine, due to the intense graphics and algorithms that power them,
  • Social media applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter,
  • Instagram, etc.
  • Video-chatting and conferencing applications like Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp Video, etc.
  • Automatic update of application installed on the device or device Operating system (OS)
  • Automatic file upload to the cloud (iCloud, Google Photos, Microsoft Cloud, Amazon etc.)
  • Using devices as Hotspots for other digital devices (TV, Games etc.)
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