The 5GB Hourly Bundle offered a quick surge of data for heavy tasks. It’s been pulled from MTN’s lineup, leaving many subscribers looking for a substitute. In this post, we explain why it’s gone, why the codes fail, and which plans now fill the gap.

Overview: The Vanished 5GB Hourly Bundle

The 5GB Hourly Bundle used to be one of MTN Nigeria’s most sought-after short-term data deals. For a fixed fee (often around ₦1,000), subscribers received 5 gigabytes of data valid for just one hour. This plan proved invaluable for intense, time-limited tasks—downloading large files, streaming high-definition videos, or performing system updates rapidly within a short window.

However, as of February 13, MTN Nigeria removed this bundle from its data offerings. Customers trying the old USSD code (*312*127#) are now met with error messages, invalid prompts, or simply no result.

Below is a quick reference table summarizing key data about the old plan:

Bundle	Availability	Price	Data Volume	Validity	Old USSD Code
5GB Hourly Bundle	Nationwide (Pre-13 Feb)	₦1,000*	5GB	1 hour	*312*127#

What Happened to the 5GB Hourly Bundle?

• February 13 Changes: MTN conducted a major overhaul of its data structure. Among the changes were the discontinuation of certain short-term “mega” bundles.
• Discontinuation: Officially, the 5GB Hourly Bundle was retired to streamline MTN’s hourly data offerings. MTN has pivoted toward either smaller hourly bundles (e.g., 400MB per hour) or longer validity plans.

For subscribers frequently asking “Where can I buy the 5GB hourly plan?” the answer is: it’s no longer purchasable via USSD, website, MoMo, or the MyMTN App.

Purchase Methods Before February 13

Before it vanished, subscribers usually activated the 5GB Hourly Bundle through:

1. USSD Code: Dialing *312*127# (or, occasionally, a secondary code if MTN updated it).
2. MyMTN App: Some customers found a “Special Offers” or “Hourly Bundles” tab that listed 5GB for one hour.
3. MoMo Payment: Topping up your MoMo wallet, then using it to finalize the purchase.

Once the purchase was successful, you had one hour to use the 5GB. After 60 minutes, any remaining data would typically expire.

The Old MB Rate

One of the bundle’s main attractions was its extremely low cost per MB. If you were paying ₦1,000 for 5GB, the effective cost per MB was around ₦0.20. For a short window, this rate was unbeatable—especially for users with large but one-time data tasks.

Data Volume	Price (₦)	Cost/MB (₦)
5GB (5120MB)	1,000	~0.20

Compared to regular daily or weekly plans at the time, which might range between ₦0.40–₦1.00 per MB, the 5GB Hourly deal was a steal. However, its short validity made it suitable only for those who could finish their data usage within an hour.

What Has Changed Now?

• Higher Hourly Costs: MTN replaced or downsized such bundles into a 400MB Hourly Bundle. Priced at ₦100 for 400MB per hour, the cost per MB soared to about ₦0.25—and you can’t buy multiple hours at once to replicate the old 5GB chunk.
• Removed Listings: You won’t find 5GB Hourly anywhere on the MyMTN App or on official pages. All references to the plan are either deleted or show “404 Not Found.”
• No Direct Alternative: There’s no single plan that gives 5GB in one hour at the same cheap MB rate.

Why Is the Plan No Longer Listed on MTN Channels?

MTN typically updates its product catalog to reflect current offerings. Since the 5GB Hourly Bundle is retired, references to it have been removed:

• MTN Website: They regularly purge old data plans from their official product pages.
• MyMTN App: Any plan that can’t be purchased is either hidden or replaced by the new plan.
• MoMo App: Payment is integrated with available products—once a product is off the menu, you can’t pay for it.

MTN has not provided extensive public detail on each plan’s removal, but the overarching reason is likely to simplify or restructure their short-term data options.

Why Are the USSD Codes No Longer Working?

If you dial *312*127# now, you’ll likely get an error message such as “Invalid selection” or “This service is unavailable.” This is because:

1. Backend Deletion: The plan’s “product code” has been removed from MTN’s servers.
2. Expired SKU: Once a plan is discontinued, associated USSD codes are deactivated to prevent accidental purchases or system errors.

Hence, any attempt to buy or check the 5GB Hourly Bundle results in a dead end.

Available Alternatives

While there’s no perfect mirror of 5GB in 1 hour, consider these substitutes:

400MB Hourly Bundle

• Code: *312*126#
• Price: ₦100
• Validity: 1 Hour
• Analysis: If you desperately need an hourly solution, 400MB is your only official MTN short window plan. It’s more expensive per MB and offers a fraction of the data.

3.2GB 2-Day Plan

• Code: *312*180#
• Price: ₦1,000
• Validity: 2 Days
• Analysis: If your data needs are up to ~3GB for a big download, this might be more practical than smaller hourly chunks. You get 2 days instead of 1 hour.

5GB Weekly Plan

• Code: *312*143#
• Price: ₦1,500
• Validity: 7 Days
• Analysis: If you used to buy the 5GB Hourly multiple times for large tasks, a weekly plan might be more sensible now. The cost per MB is around ₦0.30—higher than the old plan, but you get more time to use it.

Bigger Monthly Plans

• If you routinely used the 5GB Hourly for heavy tasks, you might consider a large monthly plan like 75GB or 150GB. While the upfront cost is larger, the cost per MB can be lower than smaller daily or weekly bundles.

Common User Questions

1. How to Buy 5GB Hourly Plan Now?
• You can’t. It’s no longer listed or valid. Try the 400MB Hourly Bundle instead.
2. Why is the 5GB Hourly Code Showing Error 404?
• The product page or resource is removed from MTN’s system, so the link or code can’t be found.
3. Where to Get the Same Rate (₦0.20/MB)?
• Currently, no plan matches the 5GB Hourly’s old cost/MB ratio. MTN’s new short-term offerings are more expensive per MB.
4. Why Is the Code *312*127# Not Working?
• It’s deactivated. The system no longer recognizes the plan.

Final Thoughts: Navigating the Change

The removal of the 5GB Hourly Bundle represents a shift in MTN’s strategic pricing. For power users relying on quick, cheap data bursts, the new environment forces you to adapt to less generous short-term deals or pay for bigger, longer validity plans. While it’s disappointing to lose such a convenient plan, exploring 2-day or weekly options might soften the blow.

• Tip: If you require a massive short burst, check if the 400MB Hourly can suffice by purchasing multiple times in the same hour (though it often becomes more expensive).
• Longer-Term: If you’re consistently using large data volumes, a monthly or 2-month plan provides better overall cost efficiency.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the 5GB Hourly Bundle was a gem for those who knew how to max it out. With that gem gone, you’ll need to restructure your usage or budget for a plan with better longevity. Keep an eye on official MTN announcements; sometimes, promotional offers pop up that can partially replicate the old plan’s cost advantage.