Compare MTN’s 2025 international options: Pulse + IDB bundles, XtraValue’s in-bundle minutes, and XtraSpecial’s flat Zone-1/Zone-2 rates. Includes set-up codes, cost tables, hidden fees, traveller tips, and a 1 – 2 % airtime-discount hack.
When Nigeria’s voice floor hit 30 k/s, direct international calls to popular destinations jumped above ₦70 / min. MTN’s three “escape hatches”—Pulse + International Direct Bundles (IDB), XtraValue bundles, and XtraSpecial Post-paid—still carve 45 – 80 % off those sticker prices. Understanding which plan unlocks which rate could save a frequent caller ₦5 000-plus every month.
Quick-Look Comparison
|
Plan / Option |
Access Route |
USA / Canada / India / Malaysia |
China |
Other Destinations* |
Best Use-Case |
|
Pulse + IDB1500 |
Buy IDB1500 (₦1 500) |
₦15 / min (Zone 1) |
₦30 / min (Zone 2) |
Standard table |
Students & family on prepaid |
|
XtraValue (any bundle) |
In-bundle minutes |
₦10.8 / min (deducts from bundle) |
₦10.8 / min |
PAYG table |
Combo users who already buy XtraTalk/Data |
|
XtraSpecial Post-paid |
Default rate |
₦31.2 / min (Zone 1) |
₦62.4 / min (Zone 2) |
PAYG table |
Frequent travellers & business callers |
*Standard PAYG international rates start at ₦50 / min and spike to ₦999 / min for exotic destinations.
Pulse + International Direct Bundles (IDB)
|
Bundle |
Price |
Zone 1 (25 top destinations) |
Zone 2 (China + extras) |
Validity |
Activation |
|
IDB500 |
₦500 |
₦25 / min |
₦50 / min |
30 days |
SMS IDB500 → 131 |
|
IDB1000 |
₦1 000 |
₦20 / min |
₦40 / min |
30 days |
SMS IDB1000 → 131 |
|
IDB1500 |
₦1 500 |
₦15 / min |
₦30 / min |
30 days |
SMS IDB1500 → 131 |
Bundle self-destructs when minutes exhaust or validity lapses.
Typical saving: Direct PAYG to USA on Pulse ≈ ₦75 / min → IDB1500 cuts that by 80 %.
XtraValue – Turn Bundle Minutes Into Overseas Minutes
All XtraTalk, XtraData and Value Data bundles charge ₦10.8 / min to the five flagship destinations (USA, Canada, India, Malaysia, China) until the voice bucket depletes. No add-on needed.
Example: V 3 000 gives 250 minutes; calling Canada burns those minutes at ₦10.8 each, effectively baking ₦2 700 of international talk into the bundle price.
Hidden edge: XtraTalk 5 500’s minutes also work while roaming inside those five countries.
XtraSpecial Post-paid – Flat Discount Without Bundles
- Zone 1 (USA mainland, Canada, India, Malaysia) – ₦31.2 / min
- Zone 2 (China + USA-Alaska & Virgin Is.) – ₦62.4 / min
No subscription, no expiry. Great for executives who already enjoy the plan’s 20 k/s local calls and monthly invoice convenience.
Real-World Cost Scenarios
|
Caller |
Minutes / Month |
Destination |
PAYG Cost (₦75 / min) |
Best Option & Cost |
Monthly Saving |
|
Tola (Master’s student) |
60 |
USA |
₦4 500 |
Pulse + IDB1500 → ₦900 |
₦3 600 |
|
Mama Chinedu |
40 |
Canada |
₦3 000 |
XtraTalk 1 500 (117 mins) cost ≈ ₦432 |
₦2 568 |
|
Ajayi & Co. (SME) |
150 |
India |
₦11 250 |
XtraSpecial Post-paid → ₦4 680 |
₦6 570 |
Hidden Fees & Fine Print
|
Plan |
Gotcha |
Work-Around |
|
Pulse + IDB |
Bundle minutes don’t roll; unused wiped at 30 days |
Buy lower tier (IDB500) then renew |
|
XtraValue |
Calls to non-top-5 countries billed at PAYG ₦75 / min |
Use IDB bundle for other destinations |
|
XtraSpecial Post-paid |
Late bill payment suspends line |
Pay via SmartSMSSolutions wallet (1 – 2 % off) before each 5 th |
Quick Activation Cheat-Sheet
|
Need |
Fastest Code |
|
Buy IDB1500 |
|
|
Check IDB balance |
|
|
Buy XtraTalk 1500 |
|
|
Migrate to XtraSpecial Post-paid |
|
|
Check outstanding post-paid bill |
|
SmartSMSSolutions Hack – Trim Another 1–2 %
Recharge or pay your post-paid invoice from a SmartSMSSolutions wallet and save an extra ₦1–₦20 per ₦1 000—enough to squeeze in another overseas minute or two each cycle.