{
  "id": 20223068,
  "title": "MTN Defends Data Billing, Says Apps Driving Rapid Consumption",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/mtn-defends-data-billing-says-apps-driving-rapid-consumption",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T19:49:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/11/15/mtn-defends-data-billing-says-apps-driving-rapid-consumption/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Nigeria has defended its data billing practices, denying accusations that it \"steals\" customers' data, while acknowledging growing concerns about unexplained data depletion. During its \"Data on Trial\" initiative in Port Harcourt, MTN executives defended their billing methods against inquiries from customers and content creators. The company's Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer, Ugonwa Nwoye, said the initiative aimed to provide customers with greater visibility into their data usage. She explained that customers had been requesting clearer information about data consumption for two years, prompting MTN to introduce these face-to-face engagements. MTN's General Manager for Network Performance and Quality Assurance, Mike Ndukwe, attributed the surge in data consumption to the transition from older network technologies to 4G and 5G, as well as the proliferation of smartphones, social media platforms, and high-definition video content. He revealed that Nigeria consumed approximately 13.2 million terabytes of data in 2025, with consumption in the first half of the current year already reaching 8.52 million terabytes, marking a 43% year-on-year growth compared to the same period last year.",
  "summary": "Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Nigeria has defended its data billing practices, insisting that it does not “steal” customers’ data, but acknowledged growing concerns among",
  "key_points": [
    "MTN defends data billing practices, denies data theft accusations",
    "Data consumption surge attributed to 4G/5G transition and smartphone proliferation",
    "Nigeria's data consumption grew 43% YoY in 2025's first half"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}