General News
Five Ways To Maximize Your Mobile Data Usage
By Gideon Ayogu
Detailed analysis of mobile data usage suggests that connectivity rates remain comparatively pricey in Nigeria.
According to the Research and Development Unit of Yudala, Nigeria’s pioneer online and offline e-commerce outfit, data has thus become a very critical commodity that must be efficiently maximized, especially in view of the tiered data plans currently used by service providers.
With the growing popularity of social media, we are in age of information overload; one in which content is not only king but also predominantly ubiquitous.
In addition to music streaming, watching videos online and other activities that drain your data, most smartphones are also loaded with tons of data-hungry apps.
If not checked, you might find your mobile data bills burning a huge hole in your expense sheet on a monthly basis. The following tips from Yudala will come in handy for maximizing data usage on your smartphone:
Monitor Your Data Usage
Most users live in fear of exhausting their mobile data before the expiration date, but with the help of some useful apps, you can now monitor and limit the amount of data used.
The best way to save data is to be aware of the activities or applications that drain your cellular data. Most smartphones are equipped with data usage setting that enable you manage your data. Usually located in the Settings menu, you can set up alerts for when you exceed data usage for your most notoriously data-consuming apps.
Exercise Caution with Online Video Streaming
This is a known fact. But as much as we hate to admit it, the fun things consume most of your mobile data.
Excessive streaming of videos, music, high quality images or GIF files, are things you need to avoid if you really want to maximize your internet usage.
While we know these things are not entirely avoidable, there are some other ways to stay entertained responsibly. If you can’t avoid the entertainment your smartphone brings, you can set the quality at lower rates or decrease resolution in the settings menu of your smartphone.
Use Wi-Fi Connection For Updates or Downloading Heavy Content
Wi-Fi is often regarded as a blessing by most smartphone users. While access to unlimited Wi-Fi connection is still rather limited in Nigeria, there are certain locations you can count on for free Wi-Fi.
One of the most sensible ways of maximizing your mobile data usage is by setting up your smartphone for automatic updates only when on Wi-Fi connection.
This way, you get to save some significant volume of the data drain that comes with auto-updates. Furthermore, downloads of heavy contents such as videos, high-resolution images and music files should also be done when on a secure Wi-Fi connection.
Restrict Background Data
Some applications use up a lot of data even when the phone is not in use. This is a brilliant feature of the smartphone: allowing background data to keep the applications on your phone updated. However, not every app needs to stay active at all times.
You can stop the constant update by going to your settings option to select the app you want restricted or simply disable background app refresh in your settings. This helps reduce data consumption and also preserves the battery life of your device.
1Q: Despite the anxiety over cellular data, developers have made things easy and included options that make smartphone apps less demanding.
A very good example is a cache, a hardware or software component that stores data so future requests for that data can be served faster.
The data stored in a cache might be the result of an earlier computation, or the duplicate of data stored elsewhere
These days, certain apps allow you to store data temporarily so you can cache as much content as possible. Caching is enjoyable on a Wi-Fi network which enables you enjoy preloaded content at any time, without using your cellular data.
Federal government has temporarily suspended the controversial annual dues imposed on public interest enterprises by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) after fierce opposition from businesses.
Jumoke Oduwole, minister, Industry, Trade, and Investment, announced the decision during a Ministerial Consultative Meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The move follows mounting pressure from private sector groups, including the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), who slammed the Financial Reporting Council (Amendment) Act 2023 for burdening companies with excessive fees.
The Act mandates cumulative annual charges for non-listed entities and imposes a harsh 10% monthly penalty on unpaid dues, compounding until full payment, a provision that sparked widespread backlash.
At the meeting, major industry players like NECA, MAN, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce (NACCIMA), oil producers, and telecom operators warned that the fees would cripple businesses already struggling in a tough economy.
Oduwole clarified the suspension, stating, “The government has decided to direct the Financial Reporting Council to pause in the implementation of the new annual dues. You know that I am a lawyer, and a suspension request by the organised private sector would be in contravention of legislation duly passed by the National Assembly. A pause is an administrative process simply to review, in line with what we discussed today.”
She assured stakeholders that the halt would last no longer than 60 days, with a technical working group—including FRC officials and private sector representatives—set up to reassess the policy.
“We are a listening administration. The private sector has requested a range from three months to an indefinite suspension. We are not going to do that. So, at the most, 60 days is in my estimate. We are going to set up a technical working group comprised of the FRC and the organised private sector who have formally written in, and this will be reviewed,” Oduwole emphasized.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says it is intensifying efforts to standardise locally manufactured products, including Made-in-Aba brands, in order to enhance both local and international acceptance.
Aharanwa Chuks, Director of Region (South East), SON, communicated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Chuks said through the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), SON ensured that all Nigerian-made products conformed to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
According to him, MANCAP involves direct engagement with manufacturers to certify that their products meet established quality benchmarks.
“This process includes inspecting production facilities, sampling products and testing them against NIS requirements.
“Successful compliance results in the issuance of the MANCAP certification, signifying adherence to quality standards.
“In Aba, SON has been proactive in educating manufacturers about standardization.’’
The director said SON also conducted stakeholder interactions; gathering manufacturers from various sectors to provide guidance on producing goods that met both local and international standards.
“For instance, leather manufacturers in Aba have been sensitized on standardization practices to enhance the global competitiveness of their products.
“Manufacturers are encouraged to collaborate with SON to obtain MANCAP certification, ensuring their products are not only marketable within Nigeria but also competitive internationally.
“This initiative aims to boost consumer confidence and promote the acceptance of Made-in-Aba products globally,” Chuks said.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has busted a Ponzi Scheme Academy and arrested 133 suspects in Abuja.
They were arrested at the Compensation Layout in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, following actionable intelligence on the existence of the Academy.
The Academy, named Q University (a.k.a Q-Net) is in the business of recruiting gullible young Nigerians who are trained to recruit more gullible citizens into the scheme with the promise of getting unrealistic profit returns.
The suspects are enrolled into a training codenamed: “Special Training for New Generation Billionaire” and brainwashed to believe that they would graduate into the league of billionaires.
They got into the training by obtaining a form the promoters called “Independent Representative Application Form” with promotional slogans such as: “I’m a Champion” “I’m Unstoppable”, “I’m Infinity”, among others.
The EFCC carried out the operation in collaboration with officers and men of 176 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspects include phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Court Throws Out Falana’s Fraud Case against Ekeh, Zinox Boss and Others
FG to Halt Solar Panel Imports, Pushes for Local Manufacturing
FG Halts Controversial FRC Dues amid Industry Outcry
Nokia Unwraps 5G Gateway for Home Internet
Senate Passes Bill to Re-enact NIMC Act
News2 days agoPolice Arrest 4 Bank Staff over Alleged ₦270m Fraud, Money Laundering
E-Financial2 days agoUBA Grows Profit to ₦804Bn, Declares N3 Kobo Final Dividend
E-Business2 days agoNIMC to Prosecute Nigerians Printing ‘NIN Cards’, Says Only Slip is Legal
Telecom2 days agoOpen Access Fabrics Set to Drive Connectivity to Achieve a Digital Economy
E-Business2 days agoUnleashing Nigeria’s Business Potential: The Cloud as Catalyst for Growth
Telecom2 days agoMTN Nigeria and Pan-Atlantic University Invite Media Practitioners for 4th Media Innovation Programme
General News2 days agoAuthorities Seize 1842 Devices in African-Wide Cybercrime Crackdown
E-Financial2 days agoEnza Raises $6.75m Seed Funding to Boost Embedded Payment Solutions Across Africa