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| Simeon Elvis Dumle |
I took my phone, swiped my index finger across the fingerprint sensor to open.
I looked through the app grid; searching for a proper application to play myself some good music, then, ‘Audiomack’ caught my fancy.
I initiated the app. And while I was scrolling through the music list for a calm song to play, I got a notification to update my app. I didn't attempt to check my data balance since I just subscribed for data the night before.
I clicked on ‘update’, it started.
After all the delays of unsolicited ads displaying over the app's interface, I finally got to play my songs.
In less than a minute, I got another notification from my service provider, it read, ”Dear Customer, 3.0 Mb of the volume allocated to you is still remaining. Kindly top up for quality data experience".
I almost lost my Jesus mood.
What?! 3GB?! In two days?
How?! I don't understand?
It's very annoying to have a monthly data subscription squandered within a few days. Worst of it all, you don't even know what you used it for.
Ever since I had this experience; I've been trying to understand the problem with data subscription not lasting till the due date, despite the fact that subscription prices keep getting higher.
Firstly, I discovered that: mobile data is largely affected by the internal configuration of a device, the size of the display and the resolution of the device. The use of the popular big screen smartphones, increased versions of android and iOS products combined are capable of draining mobile data tariff plans, resulting in a continuous increase of the data consumed.
According to a study on the ’Relevant Affect Factors of Smartphone Mobile Data Traffic’ the authors discovered through their research that, “The consumption of mobile data in most studies relates to the comparison of iOS and Android OS. Most authors state that the smartphones based on iOS platform generate larger amounts of Mobile Data Traffic (MDT) in relation to Android OS. Thus, this indicates that iPhone users generate significantly more MDT than the Android users.”
Secondly, some of the applications installed on our devices have the possibilities to increase the amount of mobile data consumed due to their software characteristics. Apps like Netflix, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, and Snapchat have an automated play feature for streaming of online videos. Also, viewing stories on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram shortens the length of time a particular subscription should last. An average of 60Megabyte is consumed by viewing a 30 seconds video on WhatsApp only. The sites we visit and the search engines also consumes data. Though, Google has tried to reduce that Chrome by installing the data saving mode, but I'm not certain about engines like Firefox, Safari, Mozilla, etc. Some search engines allow inappropriate ads display over contents indiscriminately and these are all data consuming activities.
About those data-hungry applications, they can be controlled by turning on some of the data saver mode; like reducing picture and video quality and using free mode on FB. Though, turning on that mode may reduce the quality of visual experience and the quality of videos and photos streamed and/or downloaded may be of a lower grade. Thus, it's up to you to decide which is important, your data or your experience with the applications.
Thirdly, another key driver of high mobile data consumption among users depends on location, and the grade of broadband internet connection. You can't compare an ‘Edge’ to a ‘4 or 5G’ service. The grade of each service determines the intensity of the speed, consumption and time.
The internet can be an expensive monthly bill. And often, there’s no way around it. If you want or have to use the internet, you have no choice but to pay for it.
Fourthly, you have to develop a more conscious method of consumption. There are some sneaky apps that perform refreshes without your permission, thereby using up your data. Smartphones give you the option of turning mobile data on or off altogether. This trick keep apps that generate mobile data traffic underneath silenced and also extends your battery life.
I read an article on a blog about background applications by Christine Ottoni, where she said, “It’s important to note that cellular data isn’t just working when you’re actively using an app. Many apps have built-in permissions that allow them to update in the background when you’re not using them. That means if you’re not on Wi-Fi and you haven’t restricted an app’s ability to update in the background, it might do so over cellular data.”
To disable applications like these, check the phone's Settings > Network & Internet, then you can turn on Data Saver, which prevents compatible apps from using background data. You can also restrict individual apps from using background data. However, some apps may begin to malfunction.
Lastly, believe it or not, our smartphone is literally of no use without internet connectivity. It's obvious that we all are addicted to social networking sites: and that's where the bulk of our data goes to, because we are constantly in need to get information and interact. Even though we try minimising our data usage, we still risk overusing and being charged with hefty data consumption charges.
Also, the need to safeguard important information and documents by using cloud storage and emailing of high definition videos and photos to keep quality does some rapid depleting on mobile data.
After considering all these, I still have one bugging question, are service providers also responsible for the fast and indiscriminate consumption of our data subscription?