For the Nigerian Communications Commission, about 90 million Nigerians have access to internet and more than 70 per cent of them connect to the web via their mobile phones. But more than half of this figure are ignorant of ways to manage their data while harbouring the belief that it is expensive to use internet for a month.
However, internet experts argue that there are ways all internet subscribers using mobile phones could manage their consumption rate and probably roll their data plans over to the next month. Most times you may observe that you find yourself exceeding your data allowance on your smartphone or tablet. Perhaps, you may think everything is okay, and not realise that you have exceeded the amount of data you subscribed to until you get a notification that you have exhausted your data.
EXPERTS ADVICE
The Chief Executive Officer, SMATECH Networking & Systems, Mr. Segun Mustapha, explained that in order to save some money from buying data all the time, all subscribers should think and act smart.
According to him, the first step you should take is to use Android’s built-in tools to set up a limit on your mobile data. This can be done in settings. You scroll down to data usage. With data switched on, tap ‘set mobile data limit’ and then specify a warning level and a limit.
“You can also restrict background data by opening the menu and select the corresponding option. It should be enough to ensure that you don’t exceed your limit. In case it is not enough, then you go further by using some internet applications that will compress your data for you, which relies on remote servers, making you to access the web via their own networks,” he said.
The web master added that so many people download apps that are not useful for them and these apps run and connect to the internet without many people realising that it is eating up data. Any app that is not used in a month, he believes, should be uninstalled.
The Managing partner, Domain Standard Networks, Mr. Yomi Adegboye, disclosed that it is more prudent to use a web browser that has in-built data compression compared to the one that does not.
“Be sure to check the settings to enable data compression. Also, you can disable images from loading when you visit webpages. Images are much heavier than text. By disabling them, you can reduce data consumption. 
“Discerning internet users should stay away from video streaming or downloads. Videos are huge data guzzlers. If you are browsing on a budget, you should avoid videos. There are various apps available that use compression technology and Virtual Private Networks to ensure your data usage is reduced. Browsing is faster and cheaper with compression technology, and it is this tech that also allows you to use less data when visiting your favourite websites,” he added.
For example, an app like Opera Max, which monitors and compresses data usage, can be used to manage your mobile internet usage and force data hogs to only go online when there is a WiFi signal nearby.
“The advantage of the use of this app is that it gives you a massive doubling of your data plan with it being enabled, and privacy is covered as the app uses a secure VPN. Due to compression, Opera Max allows your data to download quicker. It also compresses mobile video, often the main culprit when you go over your data subscription,” Adegboye stated.
Mustapha added that another app that helps internet users to conserve data and preserve the phones from virus and other threats is Whats Local Today. The browser app helps you to remove a ton of Apps from your phone, which enhances a longer battery life.
“It also makes your apps consume less data than idle native apps on your phone, which requires frequent updating. The greatest advantage this browser app gives you is that it does not run in the background at all, once the web-page is loaded, it does not require any further data usage. All you need is to login once, then reach your webservices. It also has a Social Media Tab where Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google, Emails and Instagram all on one screen. All your browsing experience will be through taps only rather than typing,” he added.
