Updated for April 2025, this guide puts MTN Pulse, BetaGist and XtraValue head-to-head, shows which old plans were axed, reveals real-life savings scenarios and explains how to buy discounted airtime via SmartSMSSolutions—plus FAQs and pro tips.
Telecom operators quietly updated their price books at the end of March 2025, after the NCC raised Nigeria’s voice-tariff floor. MTN adjusted pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates, tweaked bonuses and scrapped several legacy plans. In a year when inflation is still biting hard, picking the wrong tariff could leak an extra ₦5 000-₦10 000 from your annual budget. This article dissects the three most popular MTN voice options—Pulse, BetaGist and XtraValue—so you can lock in the cheapest calls for your lifestyle.
The Evolution Of MTN Voice Tariffs
|
Era |
Flagship Plans |
Typical Call Rate |
Fate After 31 Mar 2025 |
|
2016–2019 |
BetaTalk, TruTalk+, SmoothTalk+ |
11–25 k/s + access fees |
All discontinued |
|
2020–2023 |
Pulse Classic, XtraPro 2.0, mPulse |
20–25 k/s |
Pulse upgraded; XtraPro dropped |
|
2024–Mar 2025 |
Pulse 23 k/s, XtraValue bundles, BetaTalk |
23–30 k/s |
BetaTalk replaced by BetaGist |
|
Apr 2025 → |
Pulse, BetaGist, XtraValue |
23 k/s – 30 k/s (PAYG) |
Live plans compared here |
MTN delivered SMS migration notices to affected users between 22 and 31 March 2025.
Quick Snapshot: Rates & Key Hooks
|
Plan |
Flat Call Rate |
Stand-Out Bonus |
Best For |
|
Pulse |
23 k/s |
Nightlife 500 MB @ ₦75; Pulse Points data |
Data-savvy youth |
|
BetaGist |
30 k/s |
Get 3 free minutes after every 6 paid |
Marathon callers |
|
XtraValue |
10.8 ₦/min inside bundle |
Choice of voice-heavy (XtraTalk) or data-heavy (XtraData) packs |
Balanced users |
PAYG calls on any prepaid plan outside bundle now bill at 30 k/s (₦18/min) .
Deep-Dive Cost Breakdown
Pulse – Simple Flat Rate With Data Perks
- 23 kobo/sec to any Nigerian network; no daily access fee.
- Nightlife data: 500 MB for ₦75 (11 pm – 6 am) – buy up to 4 bundles (2 GB) per night.
- Pulse Points: earned on almost every data purchase; 200 points = 200 MB, 500 points = 1 GB.
- Instagram/TikTok/YouTube bundle: 1 GB for ₦300 (3-day validity).
- Migration fee: first move in 30 days is free, later moves cost ₦102.
BetaGist – “Talk-6-Get-3” Mechanics
- 30 kobo/sec on every local call.
- For every 6 paid minutes (360 s) you receive 3 free minutes (180 s) valid 48 hours – an effective rate of about 20 k/s on long calls.
- Betamix add-ons:
- Mini – ₦50: 40 MB + 1 voice min (24 h).
- Max – ₦100: 100 MB + 2 voice min (24 h).
- Default plan on all new SIMs; migration from other plans is free once per 30 days.
XtraValue – Bundles That Pre-Pay Your Month
|
Category |
Bundle |
Price |
Voice Minutes |
Data |
Validity |
Effective Voice Cost* |
Effective Data Cost* |
|
XtraTalk |
V 500 |
₦500 |
37 |
250 MB |
7 d |
₦13/min |
₦2/MB |
|
V 1500 |
₦1 500 |
117 |
580 MB |
30 d |
₦13/min |
₦2.6/MB |
|
|
XtraData |
D 1500 |
₦1 500 |
6 |
1.8 GB |
30 d |
₦7/min |
₦0.83/MB |
|
D 2500 |
₦2 500 |
17 |
6 GB |
7 d |
₦7/min |
₦0.42/MB |
*Costs assume you exhaust both voice and data. In-bundle voice is billed at ₦10.8/min; PAYG outside the bundle reverts to 30 k/s.
Real-World Scenarios
|
Persona |
Monthly Behaviour |
Cheapest Pick |
Why |
|
Aisha – university student |
600 MB night streaming + 90 mins calls |
Pulse + two Nightlife bundles nightly |
Nightlife gives her 15 GB for ₦2 250 while calls stay at 23 k/s. |
|
Gbenga – job hunter |
350 mins calls to recruiters |
BetaGist |
After the “talk-6-get-3” rebate his effective rate ≈ 19.8 k/s. |
|
Uche – online tutor |
5 GB data + 140 mins teaching calls |
XtraData ₦1 500 + PAYG top-up |
Blended cost ₦0.83/MB and 6 bonus minutes cover quick check-ins. |
|
Mrs Idowu – market trader |
200 voice mins, almost no data |
XtraTalk ₦1 500 |
Minutes cost ₦13 each, 28 % cheaper than PAYG Pulse or BetaGist short calls. |
Hidden Fees And Fine Print
|
Item |
Pulse |
BetaGist |
XtraValue |
|
Migration charge after first move in 30 days |
₦102 |
₦150 |
₦102 |
|
International call promo |
None |
None |
Zone 1–2 discounted only inside bundle |
|
Bonus expiry |
Nightlife 6 a.m. same day |
48 h |
Full bundle expiry |
|
Data rollover |
Nightlife – No |
N/A |
Only if you renew within grace period |
Buying Airtime On SmartSMSSolutions – Step-By-Step
- Create a free account at SmartSMSSolutions.com or in the Android app.
- Load your wallet by transfer, card or USSD (*737#, *901#, etc.).
- Choose Airtime & Data → Buy Airtime, select MTN, type the phone and amount.
- Instant top-up arrives with ~2 % discount: ₦1 000 airtime costs ₦980.
- Use Bulk Airtime to credit many numbers at once—useful for family or staff gifts.
A customer who normally recharges ₦5 000 a month saves roughly ₦1 200 per year—equal to 100 minutes of BetaGist talk time.
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Q |
A |
|
Can I keep Pulse Points if I migrate to BetaGist? |
Points vanish once you leave Pulse; burn them first. |
|
Does BetaGist bonus apply when I call my Pulse friend on Wi-Fi Calling? |
Yes, as long as the call is routed through MTN’s voice switch (VoLTE/VoWi-Fi included). |
|
Best plan for one-off heavy calling month? |
Buy XtraTalk ₦3 000: 250 mins at ₦12/min + 750 MB. |
|
Can I combine Pulse Nightlife and XtraData? |
Yes, but you must migrate to XtraValue to buy XtraData, losing Pulse benefits. |
|
What happens to unused XtraTalk minutes? |
They expire at 11:59 p.m. on the 30th day; no rollover. |
Conclusion: Choose The Plan That Matches Your Lifestyle
- If you value cheap data first and occasional calls, stick with Pulse—its 23 k/s rate plus Nightlife and Points makes it a balanced everyday driver.
- If you chat non-stop or hold lengthy customer conversations, BetaGist’s 6-for-3 bonus slashes your effective rate below 20 kobo.
- If you need a predictable bundle that mixes minutes and megabytes—especially for side-hustle entrepreneurs— XtraValue (pick XtraTalk or XtraData) beats PAYG hands-down.
Layer any choice with SmartSMSSolutions’ airtime discount and you claw back an extra month of talk time every year. Inflation is squeezing wallets; your phone bill shouldn’t tighten the noose. Pick smart. Talk longer. Spend less.