Why Minutes of Unlimited Data Is More Valuable Than X MB 

The telecom industry has spent the last decade trying to squeeze life out of the same old product: gigabytes. Bigger bundles. Smaller bundles. “Special” bundles that look suspiciously like the old ones but with brighter packaging.

Across emerging markets, millions of prepaid users either use Wi-Fi only, or ration mobile data so aggressively that operators barely see a pulse on ARPU. The industry looks at these consumers and shrugs: “They’re low-value.”

They’re not low-value. They’re poorly served.

And short chunks—yes, short 5-60-minute unlimited data sessions—are the product that finally meets them where they are.

Welcome to the future of data pricing.

The Value of 5-60 Minute Chunks: Why Time Beats Megabytes

Here’s the uncomfortable truth the industry has ignored:

People don’t think in megabytes. They think in moments.

• “I need to check a map.”
• “I need to send a picture.”
• “I only need data until I get home in 10 minutes.”
  

MB-based products don’t fit these moments. But time-based ones do.

For consumers, short chunks mean:

• Access exactly when needed – no more overpaying for large bundles.
• Ultra-low entry point – perfect for frugal users and Wi-Fi dependents.
• No fear – you’re buying time, not data anxiety
• No waste – they pay for the moment, not the month

And the segments that want this?

They exist in every market, regardless of geography or GDP.

Let’s State It Clearly: Short Chunks Are Not for Everyone

And that’s the point.

Some consumers want total peace of mind. They’ll happily pay €20–€50 per month so they never think about data again. They don’t want micro-decisions. They don’t want reminders. They want always-on access.

And operators should absolutely continue serving them with unlimited or large GB-based plans.

But for the hundreds of millions who:

• Can’t afford monthly plans,
• Don’t want them, or
• Simply don’t need them…
  

…short time-based chunks are the perfect fit.

One size does not fit all.

Which means operators must finally stop acting like it does.

Surprise for Operators: Short Chunks Make More Money

Yes, really. And the data proves it.

When one operator introduced short unlimited sessions:

• 5–7× higher $/GB than standard bundles
• Highest uplift from the 5-minute chunk‍
• Growth without cannibalising existing data products
  

Why? Because users consume far less data than they fear. A 10-minute unlimited session doesn’t move the needle on network load—but the price-per-GB equivalent skyrockets.

It’s high-margin monetisation wrapped in a consumer-friendly product.

A rare win-win in telecom.

Short Chunks Unlock a Market Operators Forgot

Let’s be honest: the industry has ignored the most price-sensitive users for years.

And yet they represent:

• The largest segment,
• Money on the table,
• And the highest appetite for simple, transparent access.
  

Short chunks are their gateway to mobile data.

Operators who adopt them don’t just sell more. They activate millions of dormant users into the revenue stream.

Why Operators Must Rethink Data Pricing Now

The mainstream model: gigabytes, monthly packs, confusing expiry rules was built for a world where data was a luxury. That world is gone.

Consumers want:

• Convenience,
• Immediate activation,
• Small, safe commitments,
• And prices that make sense for everyday moments.

Operators want:

• Higher ARPU,
• Better margins,
• Lower churn,
• Efficient network use.

Short time-based data chunks tick every box.

NXT:FWD: Making Short Chunks Simple, Scalable, and Profitable

We didn’t invent short chunks. Consumers did.

We just built the platform that makes them commercially unstoppable.

With NXT:FWD operators get:

• A branded omni-channel app that activates chunks instantly
• AI-powered real-time analytics to target the right micro-moments
• A cloud-native overlay requiring no infrastructure changes, no capex‍
• A marketing engine that turns data into a daily engagement habit
  

The results?

6× MAU ARPU. 2.5× data ARPU. Zero cannibalisation.

And a rare 4.8-star app rating in an industry where consumers rarely smile at telco apps.

It’s Time to Let Consumers to Choose

Telecom doesn’t need another 2GB pack.

It is time to refresh the approach:

Data sold the way people live.

In moments.

In bursts.

In short chunks.

If you’re an operator still clinging just to the old model, now is the moment to rethink pricing, and revenue before your customers rethink you.

Want to Monetise the Moments That Matter?

If your teams are ready to challenge the status quo, rethink your data strategy, and unlock high-margin short chunks, NXT:FWD is here to help.

Let’s talk. Let’s rebuild mobile data. Simply Connect.

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