The 200MB 3-Day Plan was a handy option for minimal data use, extending beyond the usual 24-hour limit. Since the February 13 shake-up, the plan has vanished. Find out what happened, why codes don’t work, and where to get your low-data fix now.
For many MTN customers, the 200MB 3-Day Plan was a niche but convenient offering. Priced around ₦200 (sometimes ₦250), it allowed you to stretch a modest 200MB over 72 hours—ideal for those who only checked email, used WhatsApp lightly, or browsed sporadically. This plan stood out because most short-term bundles typically last for 24 or 48 hours.
However, as of February 13, references to the plan disappeared from USSD codes and the MyMTN NG App. If you attempt the old activation code (*312*113#), you’ll find it no longer works. Let’s see why this previously unassuming bundle was removed.
What Happened to the 200MB 3-Day Plan?
- Complete Discontinuation: MTN is no longer offering any 3-day data plans in its mainstream suite. This includes the 200MB option and other 3-day variants that existed in the past.
- Shift to 1-Day or 2-Day: The telecom appears to have consolidated short-validity bundles into daily or 2-day categories.
- Low Demand or Low Profit: The 200MB plan might not have been widely popular or profitable, prompting MTN to focus on other short-term deals.
Purchasing Methods Before February 13
Originally, you could get the 200MB 3-Day Plan by simply dialing *312*113#. In some cases, it appeared on the MyMTN NG App as a low-volume offering under “Short-Term Plans.” Payment was typically deducted from your airtime balance, though some users also purchased it via bank card or MoMo after selecting the plan in-app.
Activation was nearly instant, and you’d see “200MB” with a validity of “3 days” in your data balance details.
The Old MB Rate
While the plan was cheap in absolute terms (~₦200), the cost per MB was relatively high at around ₦1.00 per MB:
Plan |
Data |
Price |
Validity |
Cost/MB |
200MB 3-Day |
200MB |
~₦200 |
3 days |
₦1.00 |
That’s more expensive per MB compared to bigger daily or weekly bundles, but it had the advantage of spreading usage across three full days—helpful for users with only intermittent data needs.
What Has Changed in MTN’s Portfolio?
- No More 3-Day Plans: After February 13, users won’t find any official 3-day validity option. Instead, the focus is on 1-day, 2-day, and then a jump to weekly.
- Short-Term Overhaul: Plans like 75MB daily, 250MB daily, 1GB daily, or 2GB/2.5GB/3.2GB 2-day are now the main short-validity offers.
- User Shifts: Many light users might be pushed to daily or 2-day bundles, as 3-day windows have effectively vanished.
Why Is It No Longer on the MTN Website or App?
- Removal from Official Listings: Once a product is discontinued, it’s promptly taken off the MyMTN app, official website, and USSD menus.
- Error Codes: If you have an old bookmark or see an old blog linking to the 200MB 3-Day plan, you’ll likely encounter “Plan not found” or “Error 404.”
Why *312*113# No Longer Works
- Backend Deactivation: Dialing *312*113# used to invoke the 200MB 3-Day package. Now that product code has been deactivated.
- No Fallback Offer: Some codes redirect to an alternative plan, but in this case, you’ll just see an error message.
Thus, the typical “Invalid request” or no response indicates the plan is no longer recognized.
Possible Alternatives
With 200MB 3-Day gone, the best approach for minimal usage is to check daily or 2-day bundles that still exist:
- 75MB Daily (*312*114#)
- Price: ₦75
- Validity: 24 hours
- Analysis: Ultra-light usage. Over three days, you might buy it thrice for a total of ₦225, getting 225MB if you purchase daily. More flexible, but no single 3-day coverage.
- 120MB Daily (*312*104#)
- Price: ₦100
- Validity: 24 hours
- Analysis: If you prefer something slightly bigger for each day, this might be an option. It’s still more expensive if you add them up for three days in a row.
- 250MB Daily
- Price: ₦200
- Validity: 24 hours
- Analysis: If you only need data on a specific day (e.g., day 2 of your 3-day window), this can work. Over three days, though, your total cost might be ₦600 if purchased daily.
- 2GB or 2.5GB 2-Day Plan
- If you’re okay with 2 days instead of 3, these plans cost ~₦750–₦900. They offer more data, but less time than 3 days.
Addressing Common Questions
- “How do I buy the 200MB 3-Day Plan now?”
- You can’t. The plan is entirely discontinued.
- “Why do I get error 404 when I click old links?”
- MTN removed the relevant product page, so references to *312*113# no longer exist on official sites.
- “Is there a similar 3-day plan?”
- As of this update, MTN no longer offers any 3-day data validity plan. You’ll have to choose daily, 2-day, or weekly.
- “I only need a small chunk over three days—what do I do?”
- You could buy daily data each day, though it may cost more overall. Alternatively, consider a 2-day plan if your usage is heavier on certain days, or pick a weekly plan if you want more flexibility across the entire week.
The Bigger Picture: Why Remove 3-Day Plans?
- Market Preferences: Users often prefer daily or weekly lumps. The 3-day format might have had limited adoption.
- Profitability: The 200MB 3-Day plan’s cost-per-MB was high for customers, but from MTN’s perspective, it might not have driven enough revenue or usage.
- Focus on Simplicity: By offering daily, 2-day, or weekly, MTN creates a cleaner product lineup that’s easier to understand and market.
How to Adapt
If you once relied on 200MB across 3 days, you now have a few strategies:
- Buy Daily Data
- Assess how much you actually use daily. If you only need ~70MB a day, the 75MB Daily plan might suffice, purchased each day.
- Consider a 2-Day Plan
- If your usage spikes on just one or two days, a 2-day plan with 2GB or more might be more than enough for your needs—albeit you lose that extra day.
- Scale Up to Weekly
- If you’re comfortable spending a bit more, 500MB or 750MB weekly deals exist, or even 1GB weekly, which might last you the entire 3 or 4 days you need.
- Monitor Actual Usage
- Sometimes, seeing actual consumption helps you decide if daily or 2-day strategies are cheaper. If you typically used only 100MB total in three days, smaller daily packs might be your best bet.
Evaluating Cost-Effectiveness
Here’s a quick table comparing cost per MB if you try to replace the old 200MB 3-Day with daily alternatives:
Option |
Validity |
Data |
Price |
Cost/MB |
Total Over 3 Days |
Old 200MB 3-Day |
3 days |
200MB total |
₦200 |
₦1.00 per MB |
₦200 total |
75MB Daily x3 |
24h x3 |
75MB x3 = 225MB |
₦75 x3=225 |
~₦1.00 per MB |
₦225 total |
120MB Daily x3 |
24h x3 |
360MB total |
₦100 x3=300 |
~₦0.83 per MB |
₦300 total |
250MB Daily x3 |
24h x3 |
750MB total |
₦200 x3=600 |
~₦0.80 per MB |
₦600 total |
2.5GB 2-Day + 1 more day |
2 days +1 |
2.5GB + daily plan |
₦900 + ??? |
Varies if extra day |
~₦900 + daily (₦200/₦350) |
You’ll note that cobbling together daily bundles might end up more expensive but yields more data in total. If you’re strictly after minimal, cheap usage, the 75MB or 120MB daily might be a solution. But if you truly want coverage for 3 days in one go, unfortunately, no direct official option remains.
Conclusion: A Loss for Light, Flexible Browsers
The 200MB 3-Day plan served a small yet significant group of MTN subscribers who didn’t need large volumes but appreciated not having to repurchase daily. Its removal means these users must now juggle daily bundles or consider overshooting their usage with a 2-day or weekly plan.
From MTN’s perspective, cutting out seldom-used or high-cost-per-MB deals simplifies the catalog. For end users, it can be a bit jarring. If you find daily or 2-day intervals too restrictive, consider a low-end weekly bundle, which might cost more upfront but stretch across seven days.
Key Takeaway: The end of 3-day data packages signals a leaner short-term strategy from MTN—your new approach should revolve around daily, 2-day, or weekly deals to fill the gap left by the 200MB 3-Day Plan.