Data usage with Vodacom is ridiculous

Although vodacom is an excellent company and service provider, the data usage is unbelievable. For me (as well as other people I've spoken to) to go through 1 gig of data within 1 week or even less - with just using basic applications - is terrible. Other service providers are not nearly as bad with data or pricing of data. I have cut back on using applications and Internet as much as I possibly can and I still go through tons of data every month. I contacted Vodacom customer care and the gentleman simply told me to not use any applications at all to stop my data from going down so quickly. This is an unfair request as I run a business and need to use the Internet.