Android fanboys are quick to jump to their favourite OS’ defence when we mention its data guzzling weakness.

I have published articles here to show that Android OS guzzles much more data than any other mobile OS – even when it is idle. I have owned and reviewed several Android devices and seen data consumption that is simply outrageous even when I am not doing anything with the devices.

I remember a particular discussion on this blog during which someone said that he had been using Android and had never had data issues. However, several comments down the line, he mentioned that he managed data consumption on his Android devices with certain 3rd party apps. That was hilarious! I was quite decent and let it pass without a comment from me – till now.

Well, here is news that finally a network operator is calling Google out on Android’s data consumption levels. Japan’s largest network, NTT DoCoMo is reported to be asking Google to reduce the amount of data its mobile OS consumes after a recent disruption to their network caused by an android app.

If anyone should know about data consumption, it is DoCoMo. You see, they are one of the world’s most advanced networks. They are also a network that have had tons of Symbian-powered devices used on their networks (Japan’s advanced mobile networks have been mostly dominated for years by Symbian-powered phones).

DoCoMo knows the difference.

Now, this is not a Symbian versus Android article. It is an article to make a case that is so obvious that NO-ONE should be arguing it – Android is a data guzzling beast.

An excerpt from the news item:

NTT DoCoMo Inc will ask Google Inc to modify its Android operating system so that smartphones running on it will generate less data traffic, the Nikkei reported.

The leading Japanese mobile phone service provider identified an Android application, which enables free-of-charge voice communication, as a major cause behind a service disruption that occurred on Wednesday, the business daily said.

This is probably the first time that any mobile operator is approaching a smartphone operating system provider to amend how its software operates. Telling.

But does this make Android a failure? No.

Does this mean that Android is a terrible OS? No.

Should anyone stop using Android phones because of that? Their choice.

But facts are facts.

It is better that potential users and buyers know upfront what they are getting, so that they can make informed decisions. Nothing more. Android guzzles data (and power too). Yes; it can be managed. If that’s okay with you, buy. If not, get something else.

Now, where is my Android-powered Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro? I was in the middle of a WhatsApp chat….

Source via TNW

The following was submitted by our regular, Harry Echemco:

I just got this text from Airtel:

Re-live exciting browsing moments with the NEW Airtel Surf Plan. Dial *141*712*12# to enjoy 500MB worth of data for N1300 only valid for 30 days!

Any other person in the house got the same message? I’ve not confirmed this from their website or elsewhere, if this is true, then this year is going to be wonderful in the mobile space, notwithstanding the fuel subsidy removal.

My present plan on Etisalat runs out on the 9th of next month, I will be able to tell then, but I hope this is not repeat of what they did last year. In any case, I’m going to confirm this before subscribing to the plan.

Personally, I haven’t received such a message on my Airtel line yet, but who wouldn’t hope that this is true? The ripple effects would be nice for consumers’ pockets.

Have you received a similar message from Airtel, or have access to any info to confirm the above?

That the Android OS has a ravenous appetite for data is no news. Android users keep tearing their hair out as a result of the data guzzling nature of the OS.

Take a look at this U.S. data usage chart from Nielsen:

You can access the full Nielsen article here, if interested. Speaking of the various data usage activities engaged in, Nielsen reports:

But while a higher proportion of iPhone owners engage in these kinds of activities, consumers with Android devices who engage in these activities consume more data on average.

This is from a U.S. report, but our own in-house consumer surveys here at The Mobility Company here in Nigeria pretty much tallies. Android is the undisputed mobile OS data guzzling king.

What makes it more pertinent here is that many consumers use their mobiles as the primary point of access to the internet. This is in contrast to what obtains in the US where the majority have access to PCs, Wifi and cable internet. The likelihood of seeing higher mobile data consumption rates here is strong.

An Example

I was recently contacted by one such user who had recently converted to Android. She reported that her droid was using up 1 GB data plan in two weeks. On my recommendation, she disabled Background Data and subscribed to a 25MB plan to see how things would go. Her feedback was that 25MB was used up within a day, even though she had her smartphone switched off for a few hours.

If you really do want to use Android but don’t have deep pockets for data subscription, you must be ready to nurse your device. There is no way around this.

Tips To Manage Mobile Data Usage On Android & Save Money

I have a few tips to help you manage data consumption on your Android smartphone and save you some cash (please send some my way, in the spirit of give and take).

1. You can turn off Background Data in the settings menu. Note though that when you need to sync or check your mail, your smartphone will ask you to turn it back on.
2. Download a 3rd party app to restrict data usage on certain apps and services.
   These apps generally tell you how much data you are using, or when an app is using a lot of data in the background. Some also let you block specific apps on 3G or shut off 3G data when they exceed a cap that you set, or limit data usage on certain apps to Wi-Fi only. There are dozens of them available in the Android Market, but you can start out with Onavo.
3. For web browsing, forget the stock browser, do yourself a favour and install Opera Mini
4. Install an app manager and shut down any app that requires an internet connection if you wont be using it.

By implementing the above tips, you may cut down your device’s data usage significantly. If the above tips are too much for you, then you have no business purchasing an Android smartphone. No?

Did I miss out anything?

If you lost your SmartPhone right now (misplaced/stolen), how safe are you likely to be? I mean – would you get palpitations in your heart?

In the past, I would. Right now, it is just the financial implication of replacing the device – that I would worry about.

In talking about safety, I am referring to the possible misapplication of your phone contents – your phone contact list (possibly with address, email, e.t.c), your login details (Twitter, Facebook, etc – accessible if you use a browser that saves your login details).

Imagine a scenario, where your phone gets into strange hands. This CHARACTER can easily send all sorts of text messages to your phone contacts. Let your imagination run riot here! He may be able to decipher lots of personal details – depending on how much information you store on your phone, and how tech-savvy (s)he is. He may be able to launch your browser, sign in, possibly change your password, etc, etc.

If you are like me (I keep PLENTY of information on my phone – because I want every information literally at my fingertips), losing the phone may be a minority calamity – depending on WHO gets hold of it.

Predictably, most of the strategies I use revolve around software solutions.

I password-protection my device. I make use of Advanced Devcie Locks for Symbian [ADL]. This is a versatile application that allows you set passwords for accessing various things. It asks for a password when the phone is switched on (or the SiM is changed). It can password EVERY app/function on your phone.

If you are afflicted with schizophrenic paranoia, you can actually password EVERYTHING on your device! Accessing ANY app will then require a knowledge of the password, dialing out, turning on the Bluetooth, everything – will require a password.

Remember NOT to forget that password. It is the key to blissful somnolence at night.

Practically, though, it would only be necessary to password those apps/functions that may expose/compromise your data. Some profound thought should yield good selection here. I password all apps/functions that can reveal contents (XPlorer/Native File Manager, Projekt, Bluetooth, all Browsers, Office Applications, sms apps and all Dialer apps).

You may want to stop people secretly depleting your credit (calling with your phone when you are not looking). It may be necessary to prevent people from reading you SMSes (the word ‘philandering’ comes to mind). Perhaps you watch video clips you would be ashamed to have your Pastor get a wind of? All these problems are easily solved.

ADL allows the hiding whole folders/files. You may want to explore this fine app by Googling for it, and downloading it.

Of course there are many other apps along this line – with varying sophistication and features.

Of course, apart from your data/datum getting into wrong hands, loss of the data is also a great factor to consider. I would recommend you pause and think – if I lose this particular information on my device, would it matter (say phone contacts, sms, etc). Can I easily get it back? If you paid for lots of apps, a hardware malfunction may necessitate your buying them all over again.

Obviously, we need to CONTINUALLY backup whatever we can not afford to lose. You ay want to do that Now! Tomorrow may be too late. Remember, ‘Proscatination is a thief of DATA’!

What about you? What measures do you take?

If you do not take any, you may be exposing yourself to unimaginable PREVENTABLE danger!

An email we received yesterday:

I am known as awikonko on MobilityNigeria. Have you noticed lately that Glo have increased the data allowance on Glo Always Micro plan? I checked my balance today and I saw that I had 193mb of data left. Please confirm.

The standard data allowance on Always Micro has been 150MB. Is there anyone who has subscribed to Glo Always Micro recently? Can you confirm if there has been an increase in the bundled data from 150MB?

Update: The increase in data allowance from 150MB to 200MB on Always Micro has been confirmed.

We received the following heads-up from deoladoctor earlier this morning:

I just got an sms from airtel on my airtel line thus:

“Internet plan for smartphones now available on Airtel! Enjoy 1000MB data allowance, valid for 30days, at N1000 ONLY. Activate now by dialling *141*712*4#”

Meaning their 1Gb for a month is now reviewed downward to N1000. I am currently on the same 1Gb/30days for N3000 hence have to wait for expiration before trying out this new rate. Pls confirm if you have not got the sms yourself.

Cheers

We haven’t confirmed this independently, and we ask that you holla if you have any further info on this. The smartphone plan used to cost N3000 monthly till now. However, if this price slash is true, mobile internet in Nigeria will simply never be the same again.

SMS from Airtel:

Internet plan for smartphones now available on Airtel! Enjoy 1000MB data allowance, valid for 30 days, at N3,000 only. Activate by dialling *141*712*10#

Mobile data usage has been in global debt over the years, especially as more and more smart mobile devices are developed and released into the market. Nigeria however is not left out as telecommunication companies are promoting a lot of data packages in the market.

We cannot deny the fact that a lot more Nigerians than ever before now own and use smartphones. Some use these devices for work, some to enhance their profile or perceived value, others for PR, and so on. Regardless of usage pattern, one truth is that you can not maximise the use of your smartphone without a data plan.

The question is, what do you do with your smartphone? For me, email is primary. For others, it is their mobile office (I know of a guy that runs his bulk SMS business on his Blackberry device). So, determining your usage should help you determine the data plan that you should pay for.

I use a Nokia N8. Till recently, I used to spend N1,000 on mobile internet service every month. However, I noticed that I do most of my browsing on my laptop and I only use my phone to receive and reply my mails. After this analysis of my data usage I was determined to know the amount of data I use in a month on my smartphone.

I went online and downloaded Data Quota, an application that helps you determine the amount of data you use in a month.

You can download Data Quota  here. Data Quota supports both Symbian 5th and 3rd edition.

If you have a pre-determined quota from your operator of how much packet data you can use in a month, it’s a pain to first find the Logs application, open the packet data counter, then try and work out how much data you have left from the amount used so far.

Data Quota shows two simple bars: one showing how much of the data for this month you have used; and one showing how much of the month has elapsed. This lets you tell at a glance if you’ve been using data up too fast or two slow, so you can be more frugal or let rip! It is important to clear your packet data counter on your phone before use so you can have accurate readings.

After installing and using data quota for a month I was able to determine that I use only 40MB out of the 150MB that I pay for every month.

I notice that I have been receiving 15MB every week from Etisalat for free, So I switched my MTN line to another phone (to receive calls) and use my Etisalat line for voice calls and data on my smartphone and I have not been paying for data on my smartphone since then.

Do you know of other ways to reduce expenses on mobile data usage?

Please share your ideas.

MobilityNigeria provides useful information for mobile subscribers primarilly in Nigeria, as well as intending visitors and investors in the Nigerian mobile landscape.

While we try to cover every possible angle of mobile news, issues, and reviews, our statistics tell us that the greatest traffic we get is from those interested primarilly in the mobile web.

Here is the list of the top 10 most popular articles on MobilityNigeria till date:

1. Full Internet now available for Zain Prepaid Subscribers
2. Glo Introduces Pre-Paid 3G Packages
3. Etisalat Introduces EasyNet – Bundle Internet Packages
4. Glo EDGE outruns MTN 3.5G
5. The Android G1 at MobilityNigeria
6. Make free Glo-to-Glo calls for N40 daily
7. Opera Mini 5.0 Beta Now Available; Multiple Tabs Now Official
8. Essential tips for using Glo prepaid internet bundle plans
9. Opera Mini with Multiple Tab Browsing
10. Using Zain Packet Data for Internet Browsing on PC

On this top ten chart, nine articles are about the mobile internet, while only one is about a phone review. Coincidence? Are there any lessons for investors, operators and businesses in the mobile sector?

We are throwing this subject open for our readers to discuss. You use those services. You are on the ground. You also use MobilityNigeria as a resource for information on mobile, meaning your usage pattern of this site contributed in some way to the above statistics. Who better to ask?

Tell us what you believe the stakeholders in the mobile industry (operators, handset manufacturers, retailers, and service providers) ought to be taking note of or doing in the light of the above statistics.

Vent. Rant. Analyze. Advise. Suggest. Demand. Happy posting!

This is just a heads-up on something I have in the works: a free guide covering everything you need to know about using mobile internet services in Nigeria.

The ebook will include service providers and their packages, tariffs, and terms, as well as a section dedicated to guiding those new to mobile internet in setting up their phones and getting online.

The guide will be in PDF format and made available for download from MobilityNigeria.com. Yes; the guide will be free to download, but perhaps I should include a PayPal donation button alongside?

Anyone has anything specific you would love to see incorporated into the guide? I’m not making any promises, but at least I will consider every suggestion.

In June 2005, Mobile Africa published an article in which Mr. Tayo Ajakaye raised issues (and some very valid ones too) about the quality of value added services being provided by GSM network operators (see: Value Added Services: Who Uses Them?

I followed that article with a rejoinder, RE: Value Added Services: Who Uses Them?, in which I faulted Mr. Ajakaiye’s argument, though I agreed with him that quality of service needed (and gasp – still needs) improvement.

Who uses value added services? Let’s look at two popular ones: Mobile Internet and SMS.

Mobile Internet
Let’s take WAP (mobile internet): Opera’s State of the Mobile Web report for 2008 says that Nigeria was the 2nd fastest growing mobile internet community in the period under review (with 1854% growth), and is currently globally number 12 on the mobile internet usage scale.

An incredibly large number of Nigerians must be using value added services. As far back as 2006, the BBC had reported that in July of that year, 61% of its international traffic from mobile devices (a whopping 13.2 million page views in one month alone) was from Nigeria.

SMS

Let’s not go there. The SMS market is so rich today that there’s no point flogging the statistics. TV reality shows run interactive SMS campaigns, businesses and non-profit organisations use SMS notifications to reach their target audiences, and there are already interactive SMS applications deployed for instance in banking, financial, and web hosting services.

An incredibly huge amount of Nigerians have been using value added services for years.

Are these services perfect yet? Dream on. It is a long road ahead, but warts and all, value added services by GSM (and CDMA) operators have made a huge difference in the Nigeria before GSM and Nigeria after GSM.

Mobile value added services are here to stay.

It is amazing that in the year 2009 (not 1989) some of our local GSM service providers still ask customers to come to their offices or to place telephone calls to request for their lines to be provisioned in order to have access to the network’s data (or value added) services.

While deploying a data service is well appreciated, the networks should go a step further to make it convenient for subscribers to have access to these services.

For example, there’s no valid reason why the networks cannot provide their SIMs already provisioned for internet. It is a fact that at least MTN and Etisalat are doing it right in this regard. Etisalat especially is to be commended, for though being a new player in the Nigerian telecoms ecosystem, they are more forward looking in terms of user-friendly data provisioning than the older boys like Zain and GloMobile.

Surely, it cannot be so difficult for network operators to deploy over-the-air (OTA) configuration such that soon after inserting your SIM into a GPRS or 3G-enabled phone, the data settings are pushed automatically to the phone and the subscriber can simply launch his phone browser and start surfing the web away.

Both MTN and Etisalat are again the leaders in this department. And once again, Etisalat are getting two thumbs up from me for implementing this from the word go.

My experience with Etisalat is one I remember with fondness. I popped in my SIM into a phone, the settings were pushed to me via SMS, and within minutes I was browsing without having to go to their office, call for my line to be provisioned, or manually input any settings. I said to myself, “This is the way it should be“.

Network operators need to remember that the average phone user is not a geek, does not care to go beyond the basic menu of his phone, and would rather not be bothered with the extra hassles of getting value added services setup.

The average subscriber wants these services to work out-fo-the-box, and the networks that respond appropriately to this fact will have subscribers eating out of their hands. Mobile Data will become more mainstream when the hassles of data configuration are eliminated.