Is MTN’s data price hike pushing you to switch networks? Read this 2,000-word analysis first. Compare coverage, speed, call/SMS costs, porting rules, and more—so you can make a well-informed decision before you leave MTN behind.

MTN, a leader in Nigeria’s telecom space, recently increased its data plan prices—some rising by 30% or more. This shift has caused frustration among subscribers, especially those on tight budgets or who rely on larger bundles for business or personal use. While it’s understandable to look at alternative operators for cheaper data, porting a phone line is more complex than it looks. If you’re thinking about jumping to Airtel, Glo, or 9mobile, it’s wise to weigh all angles carefully.

This article goes beyond simple “is it cheaper?” calculations. It delves into network availability (do you get stable 3G/4G/5G?), speed (is it fast enough for Zoom calls, streaming?), cost of calls and SMS (maybe data is cheaper, but calls become pricier), intra-network call rates (are you paying more to call friends on the same network?), the porting process (time frames, rules for switching back), and more. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of potential pitfalls and reasons you might still want to stick with MTN or, if you decide to port, do so with clear eyes.

Understanding the MTN Price Hike Context

Before discussing whether to port, let’s outline the environment. In 2025, Nigeria’s telecom sector faces rising operational costs—fuel for cell towers, forex fluctuations, and new taxes. MTN’s data plan increment is partly a reaction to these economic pressures. But from the subscriber’s point of view, paying more for the same data allocation is frustrating.

• Increment Range: Some monthly bundles jumped from ₦3,500 to ₦4,000, or from ₦10,000 to ₦12,000 for bigger volumes.
• Effect on Heavy Users: If you rely on a 100GB monthly plan, the cost difference can be thousands of naira.
• User Backlash: Many took to social media, threatening to port.

Porting is a valid option if you believe the grass is greener. But is it? The next sections break down the crucial factors you must check first.

Network Availability and Speed: The Hidden Dealbreaker

Even if data is cheaper on Glo or Airtel, can you actually get decent service at home, work, or on the move? Many subscribers who jump ship discover they can’t stream Netflix reliably or handle work calls because of coverage gaps.

Coverage Footprint

• MTN typically boasts the widest coverage, especially in rural or semi-urban areas. If you frequently travel or live outside major cities, losing that coverage can be jarring.
• Airtel is strong in cities (Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt) and many large towns. They’re second to MTN overall.
• Glo can be patchy once you move outside city centers or off major highways. Some areas have excellent Glo speeds, others have near-zero signal.
• 9mobile thrives in specific urban zones with stable speeds but is the smallest in rural coverage.

Before porting:

1. Check a friend’s phone on your prospective network in your location.
2. Look up coverage maps or ask neighbors/colleagues about real-life experiences.
3. Run a speed test if possible.

Speed and Reliability

• 4G/5G speeds can differ significantly by network or neighborhood.
• If you rely on low-latency for Zoom, remote work, or gaming, you need a stable network that’s not oversubscribed.
• Glo might show big volumes at cheap rates but if speeds crawl at peak hours, the plan won’t help.

Pro Tip: Try a cheap short-term data plan on the new network before fully porting. This trial run can reveal if coverage and speed meet your standards.

Cost of Other Services: Calls, SMS, and Intra-Network Rates

Porting to a cheaper data network but discovering your calls and SMS are expensive is a classic pitfall. Let’s see why:

General Call and SMS Tariffs

• MTN: On certain tariff plans (e.g., Pulse, Beta Talk), you might pay ~₦6.60/min after a daily fee or get big recharge bonuses.
• Airtel: Plans like SmartTrybe or SmartTalk can have calls as low as 11 kobo/sec (~₦6.60/min) or 25 kobo/sec with no daily fee.
• Glo: Big on net bonuses, but off-net might be ~70 kobo/sec if you rely on certain promo bonuses.
• 9mobile: Usually 40 kobo/sec base, though some special plans reduce it to ~15–25 kobo/sec after a threshold.

Check if your frequent calls (to certain networks or international lines) might end up costing more. Remember, a small difference in voice rates can accumulate if you make many calls daily.

Intra-Network Calls

One advantage of sticking with your current network is cheap or free on-net calls, especially if your family or close friends share the same operator. Some networks advertise near-zero on-net rates. If you port away from a network where most of your circle remains, you’ll start paying inter-network rates for calls to them—potentially higher.

Example: If your spouse and siblings are on MTN, it might be cheaper to remain on MTN for voice calls, even if data is a bit more. If you move to Glo, all your calls to them become “off-net,” likely at a higher rate.

SMS Costs

While many rely on WhatsApp or Telegram, sometimes you need standard SMS. If your new network charges more for SMS or if you lose existing SMS bonuses, it can be a hidden cost. Confirm local/international SMS rates before porting if you still use texting frequently.

Promotional Bundles & Loyalty Benefits You Might Lose

MTN invests heavily in loyalty programs and occasional data freebies. By leaving, you might forfeit:

1. MoMo or Pulse Points: If you use MoMo or earn points on MTN Pulse, those benefits vanish.
2. Special Data Deals: Some lines receive targeted “Welcome back” or “Double data” offers from time to time.
3. Family & Friends: You might have discounted calls to chosen MTN numbers. Once you port, those are gone.

Advice: Evaluate the intangible perks you might rely on. Are you sure you won’t miss them?

The Porting Process: How Long, How Tedious?

Moving your line from MTN to, say, Airtel (or Glo or 9mobile) is governed by Nigeria’s Mobile Number Portability (MNP) rules. Typically:

1. Visit a service center of the new network with a valid ID.
2. Fill a porting request.
3. Send a special message from your line to confirm.
4. Port completes in 24–48 hours. Your old SIM stops working, your new SIM is active with the same phone number.

However, if you have outstanding debts (like borrowed airtime/data) or unfulfilled contract obligations, your request might fail. Also, you must maintain your line for at least 60 days on the new network before switching again. If you discover the new network is terrible after a week, you can’t just revert quickly.

Time to Port Back: Typically, you must stay at least 60 days. After that, you can start a new port request. This restriction can be a major factor if you’re only leaving MTN spontaneously. If the new network disappoints, you’re stuck for two months.

Potential Data Plan Gains vs. Real-World Savings

Yes, Glo might offer 100GB at ₦15,000 while MTN charges ₦20,000 for a similar volume. On paper, you save ₦5,000 monthly. Over a year, that’s ₦60,000—a big deal. But consider:

• If Glo’s speed or coverage is poor in your area, you might not effectively use that data. It’s cheap but worthless if you face slow speeds or frequent disconnections.
• You might end up buying additional short-term data from a more reliable SIM just to get urgent tasks done, negating your savings.

Case Study: Stephen switched from MTN to Glo purely for cheap data. He soon realized his Glo speeds never exceeded 2 Mbps at home. He ended up buying a daily MTN data plan on a second phone to handle urgent Zoom calls. The result? Double expense, ironically.

5G Considerations

If your device is 5G-capable and you rely on next-gen speeds, each network’s 5G coverage is drastically different:

• MTN leads with the widest 5G expansions. If your area has MTN 5G, you might leave it behind only to find the new operator’s 5G is nonexistent.
• Airtel is second in 5G coverage.
• Glo and 9mobile have minimal 5G footprints.

If you found 5G valuable with MTN, switching to a mostly 4G network might degrade your user experience. Evaluate if that’s acceptable.

Understanding Each Alternative Network

Airtel:

• Balanced coverage, decent city speeds.
• Night data deals can be cheaper than MTN’s.
• Good voice tariffs if you pick the right plan.

Glo:

• Best cost per MB for big data volumes.
• Coverage can be inconsistent, speeds can drop in busy areas.
• Attractive on-net bonuses but high off-net call rates.

9mobile:

• Steady speeds in big cities, fewer rural expansions.
• Data plans are moderate in price, not the cheapest.
• Smaller user base might mean less network congestion but also fewer freebies.

Conclusion: None is outright “best” for everyone. It depends on your location and usage style.

Check Contractual or Corporate Lines

If your MTN line is part of a corporate arrangement (like a business postpaid plan) or family plan, there may be early termination fees or complexities to break away. Also, your company might not allow you to port the number if it’s under their name. Clarify ownership, especially for postpaid lines.

Impact on Family & Friends

If your immediate circle is mostly on MTN, they might enjoy free calls or preferential rates to your line. Once you port, they lose that benefit, or you lose it for them. Alternatively, if your loved ones are on Airtel, maybe it’s beneficial to join them. Discuss with your close circle so you’re not the odd one out, paying high inter-network rates.

Are Data Increments Permanent or Temporary?

Sometimes networks adjust data prices in line with economic conditions. If inflation stabilizes or the regulator intervenes, MTN could reverse or reduce the hike. Or they might run promotions or reintroduce cheaper deals. If you’re patient, you may see improved offers in the near term—especially if they lose too many subscribers. Evaluate if a temporary price surge is worth ditching a stable network for a competitor that might also raise prices soon.

Potential Retention Offers from MTN

When porting out, some subscribers get retention messages from MTN, offering special discounts or extra data to make them stay. This isn’t guaranteed, but be aware that loyalty lines or VIP lines sometimes receive last-minute deals like “50% bonus for 3 months” if they sense you’re leaving. If you truly want to switch, that’s fine. But if you’re on the fence, a retention offer can sway you to remain.

Weighing the Porting Decision

Let’s break it into a simple pros/cons list.

Pros of Porting:

• Possibly cheaper data (especially Glo or certain Airtel combos).
• Potential new promos or “welcome bonus” from the new network.
• If your area has better coverage from another provider, you gain better speeds.

Cons of Porting:

• Risk of poor coverage or slower speeds, especially in rural areas.
• Potentially higher call/SMS tariffs to off-net or your old network.
• 60-day lock before you can port again.
• Lose MTN loyalty points, special services, or family & friends benefits.

Bottom Line: If your cost savings are huge (like thousands of naira monthly), coverage in your area for the new network is strong, and your main contacts are also on or open to that network, porting can be wise. Otherwise, it might be more trouble than it’s worth—especially if you do heavy calling to your old network.

Conclusion: Take a Step Back Before Porting

MTN’s data price increments are understandably frustrating. But porting your line is a major move. You might save money on data but discover hidden trade-offs: coverage blackspots, expensive calls to old contacts, losing night plans or loyalty bonuses, or the hassle of waiting 60 days if you regret your decision.

Key Recommendations:

1. Test the prospective network first with a new SIM or a friend’s device. Evaluate coverage and speed where you live, work, or frequently travel.
2. Check voice and SMS tariffs thoroughly—especially if most of your calls remain with MTN-based friends.
3. Plan for the porting timeframe. Know you’ll be locked into that new network for at least 60 days.
4. Negotiate or watch for special retention offers from MTN. Possibly, you might land a new discount or double-data deal.
5. Monitor the market. Telecom pricing in Nigeria is dynamic. A competitor might raise prices soon, or MTN might reintroduce cheaper bundles.
6. Finalize your decision only after ensuring coverage, data cost, and call cost are truly better.

In many cases, the bigger problem is not simply that MTN raised prices, but that the entire telecom sector is adjusting to economic changes. By all means, be cost-conscious. Just be certain that the new network truly meets your coverage and usage needs. Otherwise, you might find yourself returning to MTN after your mandatory 60-day lock, losing time and possibly missing out on loyalty benefits.

Ultimately, if you do the homework and confirm a solid alternative, porting can indeed help you save on data—just ensure you won’t regret it once you realize call costs, coverage, or network reliability are subpar. A measured approach, with thorough checks, is the best guarantee you won’t jump from the frying pan into the fire.