The 15GB Weekly Plan offered a large data chunk for 7 days, perfect for intense browsing or remote work. Now it’s gone from MTN’s lineup. Explore why it was dropped, why old links fail, and which alternatives offer substantial weekly data today.
While many weekly plans focus on moderate usage—think 1GB, 5GB, or 7GB—MTN’s 15GB Weekly Plan catered to power users who burned through data quickly. It was especially attractive to remote workers, gamers, or streaming enthusiasts who needed a big chunk of data for a short project or an intense week.
Yet, as of February 13, you’ll notice references to 15GB Weekly have been scrubbed from the MyMTN NG App, MTN websites, and MoMo menus. Let’s break down how this plan used to operate and why it’s suddenly off the table.
The Plan’s Disappearance
- Complete Withdrawal: MTN ended the 15GB Weekly Plan, among other large short-term bundles.
- Exclusive Payment Methods: This plan was only accessible via MoMo or bank cards, potentially reducing its mainstream adoption.
- Portfolio Shift: MTN’s new approach emphasizes either smaller weekly combos (like 5GB or 7GB) or monthly bundles for higher data volumes.
Pre-February 13 Purchase Methods
To activate 15GB for 7 days:
- MoMo Wallet
- Load enough funds, open the MoMo app or dial *223#, find “Buy Data,” select “15GB Weekly,” and confirm.
- Bank Card
- Through the MyMTN NG App or MTN’s online portal, you could pay with a debit or credit card.
- No Direct Airtime Route
- Typically, *312# did not feature this plan openly. It was often hidden or labeled as a “special MoMo/card-only offer.”
Once paid, you received 15GB valid for seven days. Upon expiry, any unused portion was lost.
Old MB Rate
For about ₦5,000–₦6,000, you got 15GB, so the cost per MB hovered around ₦0.33–₦0.40. This was decent for weekly data, particularly if you truly needed that volume within a single week.
Plan |
Price |
Data |
Validity |
Cost/MB |
15GB Weekly |
~₦5,000–₦6,000 |
15GB |
7 days |
₦0.33–₦0.40 |
Why It’s No Longer Listed
- High Data in a Short Span: Plans that offer large data for just one week can be operationally challenging or less profitable.
- MTN Focus on Standard Weekly: 5GB and 7GB remain the mainstream weekly deals. For more extensive usage, MTN seems to be steering customers to monthly or 2-month packages.
- Backend Deactivation: Once removed from the product suite, it disappears from MoMo and MyMTN’s “Weekly” category.
Why Are the USSD Codes/Links Not Working?
Some might have used a direct link from a promotional SMS or an in-app banner. Now those links lead to “404 Not Found” or “Invalid Plan.” Because the 15GB Weekly Plan is removed from the system:
- SKU Removal: The system no longer recognizes that plan’s unique ID, so any attempt to buy it fails.
- No Automatic Migration: You won’t be offered a fallback plan if you try the old link or code.
Top Alternatives for Heavy Weekly Usage
If you relied on 15GB in a single week, you still have a few possible routes:
- 7GB Weekly (*312*181#)
- Price: ₦3,000
- Data: 7GB
- Validity: 7 days
- Analysis: About half the data of the old plan, but cheaper. You could buy it twice in one week if needed, though that might cost ₦6,000 total for 14GB.
- 5GB Weekly (*312*143#)
- Price: ₦1,500
- Data: 5GB
- Analysis: Buying this plan thrice in a week for 15GB would cost ₦4,500, a bit cheaper than the old plan’s possible top price, though it’s more steps to renew.
- 75GB Monthly (*312*150#)
- Price: ₦20,000
- Analysis: If you realize you often need big data for multiple weeks in a month, a monthly plan might be more cost-effective.
- Bi-Monthly Plans
- If you’re consistently a heavy user, 75GB or 150GB for 60 days can average out to a better cost per MB—though it requires a higher initial outlay.
Frequently Asked Questions
- “How can I buy 15GB Weekly now?”
- You can’t. It’s no longer available through MoMo, card, or any USSD code.
- “Why does the link from my old SMS show an error?”
- That link references a removed plan. The webpage or in-app route is defunct.
- “Is 7GB Weekly my only big weekly plan now?”
- Pretty much. 5GB at ₦1,500 or 7GB at ₦3,000 are the official large weekly data offerings.
- “Could I combine multiple 5GB or 7GB weekly bundles?”
- Potentially yes, but it requires re-purchasing each time one finishes or stacking them if the system allows multiple concurrent subscriptions.
Why Would MTN Remove a High-Volume Weekly Plan?
- Profit and Usage Patterns: Offering large amounts of data with only a 7-day validity might result in sporadic, high network load.
- Encouraging Monthly Subscriptions: Monthly or multi-month plans ensure continuous billing cycles and possibly reduce churn.
- Simplification: Removing multiple specialized or exclusive plans can unify the product lineup.
Adjusting Your Data Strategy
If you formerly relied on 15GB weekly for remote work, heavy streaming, or short sprints of intense usage:
- Check New Weekly
- 7GB weekly at ₦3,000 might suffice, or you can buy it twice if needed. This equals 14GB in one week at ₦6,000 total, which is close to the old plan’s cost.
- Buy 5GB Weekly Multiple Times
- 5GB x 3 = 15GB for ₦4,500, possibly cheaper than the upper range of the old plan if it cost ₦6,000. But it requires more manual renewals.
- Consider a Monthly Plan
- For continuous heavy usage, a monthly plan is more straightforward. Possibly 75GB at ₦20,000 or 150GB at ₦35,000 if your usage truly is high each week.
- Watch for Promos
- High-volume data deals occasionally reappear during promotions or holiday campaigns. If you see an SMS stating “Get 10GB or 15GB this week only,” jump on it.
Cost-Effectiveness Breakdown
Let’s examine how to replicate 15GB in a week using current official weekly bundles:
Plan |
Price |
Data |
Validity |
Cost If Buying 15GB |
5GB Weekly |
₦1,500 |
5GB |
7 days |
3 purchases = ₦4,500 total for 15GB |
7GB Weekly |
₦3,000 |
7GB |
7 days |
2 purchases = 14GB for ₦6,000 |
Old 15GB Weekly |
~₦5,000–6,000 |
15GB |
7 days |
n/a (discontinued) |
Notably, if you re-purchase the 5GB Weekly plan three times, you get 15GB for ₦4,500—potentially cheaper than the old plan’s maximum price. The downside is you’ll have to manually buy the plan three separate times once each 5GB is exhausted or about to expire. If the system allows partial overlap, you might manage it effectively.
Wrapping Up: The End of a Heavy-Data Era
The 15GB Weekly Plan was quite niche: it served heavy data consumers who wanted everything packed into a single, short-term subscription. Its removal mirrors MTN’s broader shift: large data volumes typically go to monthly or multi-month plans, while weekly data is meant for moderate consumption at more modest volumes (5GB, 7GB).
Key Takeaway: If you need 15GB for a single week, your best bet is to combine multiple purchases of smaller weekly bundles. Although that might be less convenient, it can even turn out cheaper in some cases. Keep an eye out for any new developments—MTN often introduces seasonal deals that might replicate or improve on what was lost.