Since the introduction of the mobile phone in Nigeria in 2000, the mobile phone has simply grown in its use and application. For some, the mobile phone was now an “offshoot of their bodies”.
After mobile phone introduction came internet-enabled mobile phones, and now, everyone seems to be on about mobile data. It’s easy to feel a little lost with all the mobile data plans out there these days, between the varying data offers and the fine print, and actual service delivery. Choosing a data plan that’s right for your mobile phone and home in 2018 may seem like an exercise in frustration.
The good news is, you’re not alone. Here are guidelines required to help you make a better decision. If you’re wondering whether these newfangled networks and their plans are a good deal, read on for everything you should be looking out for
Network Coverage
First of all, always find out which network has the very best coverage in your circulation areas. The good thing is that there are quite a few broadband companies out there with a wide coverage. However, it is advisable to find a network one company that has enough coverage for those places you spend the most time in, which in most cases may be your home or office.
It is quite cheaper, and stress-free to buy your required data from one internet data provider than from two or three. Also, being able to stick to the same data plan even whilst out of town also makes life so much easier and ultimately, cost-effective.
Pricing
Once you have found a network with sufficient coverage for your data needs, you should consider the cost. Some companies have good coverage but charge exorbitantly.
Thus be wary of escalating data costs, as some companies as known to seemingly offer fantastic services but your purchased data seems to run out a lot quicker than causing you to pay more than necessary.
It is also advisable to know your average data consumption at a given time so that you buy smartly.
Speed
All internet service providers claim to have heightened levels of service speed, but in truth, we have come to find that a lot of marketing is just hot air being blown at you and you should be careful when choosing the perfect plan.
You might have good coverage, the seemingly right price and good service availability for those times of day that you are a heavy internet user, but your grandfather could run faster than your broadband or wireless network data provider.
In times when businesses pride themselves on quick service delivery, your internet data provider should not only be making the most noise about their data speed but also living up to its claims. Slow internet service consumes more data, thus, the faster the data service the better, and ultimately, cheaper.
Perks
With companies practically falling over themselves to please, it goes without saying that any data plan or provider that does not build sufficient perks into your chosen data plan should be dropped like a bad habit. Always scout for perks that are right for you.
Some networks offer free midnight data for purchasing certain data plans above a certain amount within a given period, whilst others offer some other perk for simply choosing to do business with them. Thus, the more perks you get for the little, or much, you purchase the better. Be ruthless in this regard.
Data Sharing
Being able to share your data plan with friends and family is a great advantage you should seriously consider. Sometimes your pockets are lean and you find that you might not be able to purchase data for your siblings, family and maybe a loved one, but you somehow have enough data to share with them. Data sharing could save you a lot of costs, so find out if this is possible with your intended network data package, if not, best to sniffing around until you find something that fits.
Customer Service
In a country like Nigeria, nothing good works for too long. There will be hiccups or the occasional data service interruptions. And as much as it might be good to have a computer or voice prompt answer to some of your enquiries and complaints, we find that even though we are in the age of ‘soft touch’ and ‘do it yourselves’, people still prefer to talk to actual human beings when doing business with an internet service provider.
Customer service is critical in keeping the engines of business running. Therefore, make stringent enquiries about how friendly and quickly your intended internet data provider’s customer service functions are. Speedy enquiry or complaint resolution is key; particularly when most data plans have relatively short expiratory periods. If you find it difficult to get across to a customer service rep at any given time, then it might not be a bad idea to switch over to a network with a more efficient customer service.
Author – Brain Essien
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