Malawi Freedom Network 
By Our Reporter
Malawians have raised concerns over the speed at which internet bundles on Airtel and TNM networks are being depleted, with some subscribers questioning whether their data is being consumed faster than expected.
The complaints have been circulating on social media, with subscribers expressing frustration over internet bundles that they say do not last for the expected period.
Some users have gone as far as describing the experience as similar to “Kampopi cigarette smoke”, suggesting that their data disappears unusually quickly after being purchased.
One of the subscribers, Peter Khombeliwa, said he purchased a weekly internet bundle but was surprised to see that half of the allocated data had already been used within a relatively short period.
“I bought a weekly internet bundle yesterday morning and by midday today they are saying I have used 50% already, but I haven’t been online for longer. Even yesterday I slept around 8 PM,” Khombeliwa said.
His complaint reflects a broader concern among some consumers who want telecommunications companies to provide clearer information about how data is being consumed.
Another concerned subscriber, Elled Nkhata, has called on the government to pay attention to the complaints being raised by consumers regarding internet bundles.
Nkhata believes the concerns should not simply be left to subscribers and telecommunications companies to resolve, particularly where consumers suspect that their data is being depleted unexpectedly.
Technology educator joins the debate
The issue has also attracted the attention of Pilirani Chapotera, popularly known as Stargic, a technology educator who uses social media platforms to teach people about various technology-related issues.
Chapotera has addressed Airtel and TNM directly, urging the telecommunications companies to consider the concerns of Malawian consumers while conducting their businesses.
The growing debate comes as mobile internet has become an increasingly important part of everyday life in Malawi, with people relying on data bundles for communication, social media, education, business, entertainment and access to information.
For subscribers, the key concern is whether their purchased data is being consumed in accordance with the services they are using and the terms attached to their respective bundles.
However, individual reports of rapid data depletion do not by themselves establish that either telecommunications company is incorrectly deducting data. Data can also be consumed by background applications, automatic updates, video streaming, cloud synchronisation and other services running on smartphones.
Consumers can therefore check their individual data-usage settings and application-level consumption to determine which services are using their bundles.
The complaints, nevertheless, have renewed calls for greater transparency and consumer awareness around mobile data usage, including clearer explanations of bundle terms and how data is deducted.
As the debate continues online, subscribers are asking a simple question:
Does your internet bundle last for the advertised period, or does it disappear within hours?
Malawi Freedom Network will continue to monitor the concerns raised by consumers and any response from Airtel and TNM.
