Why does data have to expire? Why can’t data be used like fuel? Once a customer makes a purchase, the usage should be at the discretion of the customer.
I was faced with this question and was not ready with an answer. Now I do and would like to share in this thread....
I was faced with this question and was not ready with an answer. Now I do and would like to share in this thread....
Data is Bandwidth. That is the first aspect to appreciate. So when you purchase a data bundle, you are being given access to a fixed amount of bandwidth for a specific period. Data services are subscription based just as you pay for your Pay-TV, which expires after a period. 
Bandwidth is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over an internet connection in a given amount of time -usually one second. Bandwidth describes the data transfer rate or capacity.
Remember the company that gives you the access to data also has to renew it periodically with their suppliers. Operators also buy data from suppliers who equally put timelines of which after that period, they are expected to re-subscribe. So, operators also get access to capacity
The pricing schemes are simply a commercial model designed to encourage usage so that the operator is able to recover infrastructure costs, operations, and maintenance. The pricing is designed to ensures that you use up the paid for data or forfeit.
Would your PayTV subscription last longer if you watched less TV? There is a start & end date on such services. It's a capacity planning & customer demand issue. It's difficult for networks to Est real demand to commit resources over a specified period if data is held to no end.
Increased usage may mean bulk capacity discounts for the operator. It can also be argued that long-term capacity discounts by the operator based on guaranteed consumption volumes by consumers may spur more investment. The target is to commit the revenues.
However, some operators have carry – over policies. . Here you do not lose your unused data but it gets a new time extension when you purchase additional data. This is usually dependant on purchasing a new data bundle after the expiry period on the current bundle.
The pricing of data therefore take time into consideration. The regulator’s role in the pricing is more on the clarity of terms and conditions. So remember next time you purchase a data bundle, you are being given access to a fixed amount of bandwidth for a specific period.
