The N100 GSM Operator Integrity Test
Now that GSM operators in Nigeria are firmly resolved to defraud their customers, we the swindled, must devise our own little methods of checkmatng them. You can start by applying the following simple integrity test on your GSM provider:
THE TEST.
Test the honesty of your GSM provider by applying the N100 Test on it as follows:
1. Switch off "always on data" on you phone. It should be under Network Connections in your phone.
2. Switch off data connection.
3. Switch off Auto-Update in all your Apps
4. Open each of your browsers and switch off pictures, videos and sounds.
5. Make no plans to download Apps, Email attachments etc during this test.
6. Exhaust all the credit on your phone so your provider has none to steal after your data is allegedly exhausted.
7. Now, load your phone with N100 credit only.
8. Subscribe to N100 data bundle by typing the appropriate USSD Code as a call...or appropriate Text Message.
9. Now, resume data connection on your phone.
10. Open your preferred browser (if your operator would allow). Visit any website of your choice.
11. Note that pcture-free pages usually use less than 50kb... or at most 100kb. Bear in mind that 1,000KB=1MB and 1,000MB=1GB. But your N100 bundle fetches you only 10MB or 20MB depending on your provider.
12. Note the number of pages you are able to open. With 10MB, you should be able to open at least 100 pages at 100KB per page.
PRECAUTIONS AND GENERAL NOTES.
Never type a USSD code without making sure it is not a "migration".
If you must willingly migrate, make sure all conditions attached are clearly explained to you.
Even then, make sure whatever "bonus" offered does not incorporate your "Main Balance"...that your main balance is not committed to the gross offer.
Never browse out of bundle.
To avoid being forced into "out of bundle" browsing like me, have no extra credit on your phone that your GSM operator can steal into at the expiration of your data bundle.
To achieve this and be able to make calls, have a different SIM card for internet use and a separate one for calls at al.
Preferably have separate phones dedicated to calls and data respectively.
MY EXPERIENCE.
I dialed *200# on Airtel and my N1,000 was gobbled up giving me less than 20MB...(by forcing me into "out-of-bundle" browsing at N55 per MB) instead of the 1,000MB advertised...a huge difference of nine hundred and eighty= 980MB!
So frustrating... Even Etisalat that I thought was different failed the N100 test...woefully!
My N100 presumably fetched10MB but it lasted less than 2 minutes... And they have a way of preventing you from using your browser...but allow you to download from the App Stores and use the Social Media Apps rather than access them through their websites.
It's all aimed at rapid depletion of your data!
Dr Tosin Akindele is a medical practitioner and public affairs analyst.