MTN’s 10GB Hourly Bundle was a go-to option for huge downloads in a single hour. Today, it’s no longer offered. In this blog, find out why this plan disappeared, why the old code no longer functions, and which data alternatives may suit your needs.

The 10GB Hourly Bundle was, for a while, the largest short-term plan offered by MTN Nigeria. This plan catered to extremely high bandwidth tasks—downloading entire software libraries, streaming 4K content, or performing large backups—all within one hour. Priced at around ₦1,000–₦1,500 (depending on promotions), it granted an impressive 10 gigabytes of data in a 60-minute window.

Such a plan was both a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand, you got a massive chunk of data at a low cost per MB (approx. ₦0.10–₦0.15). On the other hand, the one-hour validity meant you had to consume it quickly or lose any remainder.

Following the February 13 revision, the 10GB Hourly Bundle vanished. If you attempt the old USSD code (*312*128#), you’ll find it’s no longer recognized. MTN’s documentation and online presence also omit mention of the plan.

What Happened to the 10GB Hourly Bundle?

• Complete Discontinuation: In the wave of data plan restructuring, MTN removed extremely high-volume hourly bundles, including both 5GB and 10GB versions.
• Strategic Shift: MTN appears to have refocused on either smaller hourly bundles (400MB) or pushing heavier users into extended validity plans.

For those searching online for “How to buy the 10GB Hourly Plan,” you’ll get no valid results or face 404 errors on older references.

Purchase Methods Before February 13

Historically, you could get the 10GB Hourly Bundle by:

1. Dialing *312*128#: Instantly subscribing to the plan and deducting the fee from your airtime balance.
2. MyMTN App: Some versions displayed this as a “High-Volume Hourly Bundle.”
3. Card Payment or MoMo: Users could load their MoMo wallets or pay via bank cards if the feature was integrated in the app or on MTN’s website.

Once activated, you had a single hour to use your 10GB. After 60 minutes, any remaining data would vanish, ensuring the plan catered to time-sensitive tasks.

The Old MB Rate

No other official MTN plan matched the sheer cost-effectiveness for short bursts. At around ₦1,000 for 10GB, you were paying ~₦0.10 per MB—an incredibly low rate. Even if the plan cost ₦1,500 in some promotions, that was still just ₦0.15 per MB.

This made the plan a top choice for advanced users who knew exactly when they’d use all 10GB in one session.

What Changed?

• New Hourly Approach: The only hourly plan currently available is the 400MB Hourly (*312*126#), priced at ₦100 for 400MB. That’s a cost per MB of ~₦0.2Subscribing repeatedly to reach 10GB would be extremely expensive and impractical.
• Website & App Removal: The 10GB Hourly is nowhere to be seen in official listings.
• Higher Long-Term Plans: The focus has shifted to daily, weekly, monthly, and 2-month or 3-month plans with more standard data rates.

Why Is It Missing from MTN Website, MoMo, and MyMTN App?

• Obsolete Product: Once MTN phases out a plan, they remove all references to avoid confusion.
• Revenue Model: Ultra-cheap hourly data potentially cut into profitability. Eliminating these plans drives customers to more sustainable (for MTN) packages.

Hence, if you see an old blog post referencing “10GB for ₦1,000,” that plan is effectively defunct.

Why Is the USSD Code *312*128# Not Working?

Simply put, the code points to a plan that no longer exists in MTN’s system. The moment a plan is discontinued, its USSD route is disabled or reallocated. Attempting to dial it now yields an error message or no response.

Viable Alternatives

With the 10GB Hourly Bundle gone, your best bets for large data lumps are:

1. 3.2GB 2-Day Plan (*312*180#)
• Price: ₦1,000
• Validity: 2 days
• Analysis: While nowhere near 10GB, it’s a short-term plan that might handle urgent tasks. The cost per MB is higher (~₦0.31).
2. 5GB Weekly Plan (*312*143#)
• Price: ₦1,500
• Validity: 7 days
• Analysis: Offers a chunk of data to spread out over a week. If your usage is time-sensitive but not insane, this might be better than multiple hourly passes.
3. 75GB Monthly (*312*150# at ₦20,000)
• Analysis: If you frequently used 10GB Hourly for repeated large tasks, a big monthly plan might be cheaper in the long run.
4. Multiple Purchases of 400MB Hourly
• Caveat: You’d need 25 times 400MB to reach 10GB, costing ₦2,500 for a single hour, which is far costlier than the old plan. Not recommended unless you have no choice.

User FAQs

• “How can I buy 10GB Hourly Plan now?”
• You can’t. It’s been discontinued, and the old code is invalid.
• “Why do I see a 404 error on old purchase links?”
• MTN removed the relevant webpages and any promotional references to the plan.
• “Is there a similar plan with 10GB at ₦1,000?”
• Not at the moment. All new short-term offerings come at a higher cost per MB or smaller total volume.
• “What’s the cheapest alternative for huge downloads?”
• Currently, weekly or monthly plans give you bigger volume at a moderate cost. Hourly bundles are no longer cost-effective for high-volume data.

Reflecting on the Loss

Losing the 10GB Hourly Bundle is a blow for tech enthusiasts, content creators, and gamers who found it the perfect solution to update large game files or software packages in one go. It also limits the “binge download” culture that thrived under these hourly deals.

Why Did MTN Do It?

• Increased Revenue: Ultra-low MB rates might undermine overall profitability.
• Data Infrastructure: High-volume hourly users could strain network resources in concentrated bursts, prompting a shift toward more balanced usage patterns.
• Industry-Wide Trend: Across telecoms, we see a move away from extremely cheap, short-validity data in favor of longer validity and more stable pricing.

Strategy Moving Forward

• Plan Larger Tasks: If you used 10GB Hourly for major backups, schedule them with either a weekly or monthly plan.
• Compare Cost Per MB: Sometimes a bigger monthly bundle can be cheaper over time than multiple small short-term plans.
• Watch for Promotions: Occasionally, MTN or third-party resellers might offer time-limited promos. Keep an eye on official channels to see if a new high-volume, short-validity plan ever appears.

Tip: If you truly need a big chunk in a short window, consider the 3.2GB 2-Day plan and carefully time your usage. Alternatively, multiple recharges of 400MB hourly is an option, though not cost-friendly.

Conclusion

The 10GB Hourly Bundle’s discontinuation ends an era of quick, budget-friendly data blowouts. While its removal is a disappointment for heavy downloaders, understanding MTN’s new direction clarifies that cost efficiency is now found in weekly or monthly deals. Adapting to this environment may involve rethinking how and when you consume data. Keep an eye on new offers: telecom competition sometimes leads to fresh deals that, while not identical, could provide decent alternatives.

Ultimately, the days of 10GB in an hour for a minimal fee are gone. To continue enjoying robust data usage, weigh the new short-term plan (400MB Hourly) or transition to mid-term solutions that might cost more per purchase but offer better flexibility and coverage overall.