This April-2025 deep-dive compares MTN Pulse, BetaGist, mPulse, XtraTalk, XtraData, BetaMix and XtraSpecial Postpaid. See call rates, bonus maths, hidden fees—and learn how SmartSMSSolutions chops another 2 % off every recharge.

On 31 March 2025 the NCC raised Nigeria’s voice-tariff floor to 30 kobo per second. MTN responded overnight—retiring BetaTalk, tweaking bundle prices and standardising PAYG calls at 30 k/s on prepaid. Some tariffs escaped unscathed; others now hide new fees in the fine print. In an economy where every naira counts, choosing the wrong plan could leak an extra ₦10 000 a year. This guide dissects seven live MTN voice offers, revealing true costs and practical savings tricks.

Evolution Of MTN Voice Tariffs (2016 → 2025)

The Seven Plans At A Glance

Detailed sources: mPulse , BetaGist , XtraValue , XtraSpecial Postpaid .

Pulse – Youth-Centric All-Rounder

Pulse still offers the best balance of voice and data for general users.

• Rate: 23 k/s to all networks.
• Nightlife Bundle: 500 MB @ ₦75 (11 p.m.–6 a.m.), max 2 GB per night.
• Pulse Points: Earn 10 points per ₦100 data spend; 200 points convert to 200 MB.
• Caveats: Migration fee ₦102 if you hop plans more than once in 30 days; Nightlife data wipes at 6 a.m.

When Pulse Wins

If you stream at night and keep phone calls short (< 4 min), Pulse outperforms every other plan.

BetaGist – Talk-6-Get-3 For Marathon Callers

• Rate: 30 k/s from the first second.
• Bonus: Every 6 paid minutes earns 3 free minutes (48 h expiry, 6 000 min cap).
• Micro-Data: Betamix Mini ₦50 (40 MB + 1 min); Max ₦100 (100 MB + 2 mins).
• Hidden Fee: Second migration inside 30 days costs ₦150.

Real-World Math

A 12-minute chat costs ₦216 instead of ₦276, cutting the effective rate to 22.5 k/s.

mPulse – Kid-Safe Plan (Ages 9–15)

• Rate: 20 k/s, lowest on MTN.
• Study Data: 300 MB @ ₦50 weekly; 4 GB @ ₦600 monthly.
• Parent-Child Controls: Link up to six kids; set allowances.
• Gotchas: Education data opens only white-listed sites; bonuses vanish at age 16.

XtraTalk & XtraData – Two Faces Of XtraValue

Bundle Matrix

*Assumes bundle fully utilised. PAYG outside bundle reverts to 30 k/s.

Hidden Fees: No rollover unless you re-buy within grace period; unused bonuses cleared on expiry.

BetaMix – 24-Hour Micro Top-Ups For Emergency Data And Minutes

Hidden fees: Strict 24-hour expiry, no rollover, no bonus minutes. These bundles are auto-migrating: if you are not on BetaGist when you buy Mini or Max, you’ll be moved there (no migration charge).

Where BetaMix Fits

Great for last-minute top-ups when you have <₦100 but must stay reachable. They do not beat Pulse or XtraValue for sustained use.

XtraSpecial Postpaid – Flat 20 k/s With A Monthly Invoice

Hidden fees: Miss the 5 th-of-month payment and the line is suspended until you clear the bill. You also need a BVN (existing prepaid) or NIN + ₦2 000 once-off fee (new SIM).

Who Should Go Postpaid

Power users clocking 300+ minutes monthly or anyone making regular Zone 1 calls—XtraSpecial’s 20 k/s beats every prepaid plan after the March price hike.

Head-To-Head Scorecard

Hidden Fees & Gotchas Table

Cutting Another 1-2 %: SmartSMSSolutions Airtime Hack

• Create a free SmartSMSSolutions wallet.
• Fund via bank transfer, USSD, or card.
• Recharge your MTN line from the wallet—face-value ₦1 000 costs ~₦980.
• Pay Postpaid bills the same way: the discount applies to invoice settlements too.

On ₦10 000 monthly usage, that’s a silent ₦200 saving—about 17 bonus BetaGist minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: One Size Never Fits All

• Teens stay unbeatable on mPulse (20 k/s).
• Night owls and data lovers gravitate to Pulse.
• Marathon talkers mine BetaGist’s 6-for-3 bonus.
• Balanced users lock in XtraTalk/XtraData bundles.
• Corporate heavy-dialers and Canada-callers slash bills with XtraSpecial Postpaid.
• Emergency or ultra-low budgets lean on BetaMix.

Layer your pick with SmartSMSSolutions’ 2 % airtime discount and you’ll keep even more naira in your pocket—critical in today’s economy. Choose smart, talk longer, spend less.