Frequent flyers compare MTN’s XtraSpecial Post-paid (flat 20 k/s at home, Zone-1 calls ₦31.2/min abroad) against XtraValue 5500 (438 roaming minutes + 2 GB or 12.5 GB + 36 mins). We crunch roaming rates, credit-limit tricks, renewal rules, and a SmartSMSSolutions 1–2 % discount.
Roaming Basics After 2025 Price Reforms
- Standard MTN roaming voice often lands between ₦150 – ₦900 / min.
- Data PAYG abroad can top ₦60 / MB.
- MTN now offers only two mass-market ways to soften those blows without buying separate roaming bundles:
- XtraSpecial Post-paid (Consumer Post-paid).
- XtraValue 5500 bundles (both XtraTalk & XtraData flavours) usable in five “eligible” countries : United States, Canada, India, Malaysia and China. MTN Nigeria
Quick-Look Comparison
|
Feature |
XtraSpecial Post-paid |
XtraValue 5500 (XtraTalk & XtraData) |
|
Activation |
Dial *409# → enter BVN (no migration fee) |
Buy bundle 3125500# (auto-migrates to XtraValue) |
|
Local call rate |
20 k/s (₦12/min) |
30 k/s PAYG or ₦10.8/min inside bundle |
|
Roaming voice rate |
Uses credit limit at negotiated network tariff (often ₦60–₦150/min) but MTN promo deals apply periodically |
Bundle minutes deplete first; calls back to Nigeria or within eligible country charge bundle minutes at roaming tariff table then main airtime MTN Nigeria |
|
International discount (home) |
Zone 1: ₦31.2/min; Zone 2: ₦62.4/min MTN Nigeria |
Same five countries at ₦10.8/min while in Nigeria |
|
Data roaming |
Pay from credit limit or buy extra roaming packs |
Uses bundle data first (charged at roaming MB rate) then main account |
|
Up-front credit |
₦2 000 instant, scalable MTN Nigeria |
None |
|
Monthly cost control |
One post-paid invoice, due 5 th each month |
Prepay ₦5 500 per 30 days |
|
Best for |
Business travellers hopping multiple countries, needing one bill |
Tourists or students restricted to USA, Canada, India, Malaysia or China |
Inside XtraValue 5500 Roaming Mechanics
- XtraTalk 5500 – 438 voice minutes + 2 GB + 20 SMS.
- XtraData 5500 – 12.5 GB + 36 voice minutes + 15 SMS.
- Use abroad? Only in the five eligible countries. All bundle wallets deplete at special roaming rates first, then fall back to any roaming bundle or main account. MTN Nigeria
- Activation abroad is allowed; you still receive the full quota.
- When you return to Nigeria, any leftover units continue at local in-bundle rates (₦10.8/min, ₦0.40–₦0.35/MB).
Hidden caveats
- No unit rollover beyond normal 30-day expiry—even if you renew.
- Calls to non-eligible countries charge standard roaming tariff even if bundle is active.
- Bundle counts as a migration: switching back within 30 days can trigger the ₦102 fee.
Inside XtraSpecial Post-paid For Roamers
- Flat 20 k/s at home; no access fee.
- Credit limit usable abroad for voice, SMS and data. MTN Nigeria
- Special roaming packs (e.g., 500 MB, 1 GB) periodically offered to post-paid only—announced via SMS.
- Monthly invoice consolidates all roaming spend; pay by the 5 th (16 th for VIP).
- Bill shock guard: line suspends automatically if you overshoot credit limit, preventing runaway charges.
Hidden caveats
- No bundle minutes abroad—you pay whatever roaming rate MTN has with the visited network.
- Credit limit clears each month; unused allowance cannot roll.
- One-time ₦2 000 activation fee for brand-new post-paid SIMs (store activation).
Cost Scenarios – 7-Day Trip To The USA
|
Usage |
PAYG Roaming |
XtraValue 5500 |
XtraSpecial Post-paid |
|
Voice: 180 min to Nigeria |
₦27 000 (₦150/min) |
188 bundle mins used (leave 250 mins) – INCLUDED |
₦11 232 (₦62.4*?) actual negotiated could be ₦100 |
|
Data: 3 GB maps & mail |
₦184 200 (₦60/MB) |
2 GB bundle + 1 GB PAYG at (say) ₦30/MB ⇒ ₦30 720 |
Buy 3 GB roaming pack (SMS offer) ≈ ₦8 000 |
|
Total |
₦211 200 |
₦36 220 |
≈ ₦19 232 |
Assumes example roaming pack and network rate; check live SMS offers before travel.
Insight:
- Light-to-moderate roamers in eligible countries save most with XtraValue 5500.
- Heavy multi-country roamers or those visiting non-eligible destinations fare better on XtraSpecial Post-paid plus roaming packs.
Money-Stretching Tips
- Buy XtraValue 5500 just before departure to maximise the 30-day window abroad and at home.
- Turn on Wi-Fi Calling (if device supports) to let bundle minutes deplete instead of expensive PAYG.
- Use data compression & offline maps to keep within 2 GB on XtraTalk.
- Increase post-paid credit limit—email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. one week before travel. - Top-up or pay bill via SmartSMSSolutions wallet; the 1–2 % discount offsets roaming taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
|
Q |
A |
|
Can I buy XtraValue 5500 while already roaming? |
Yes, send V5500 or D5500 to 312; bundle activates instantly. |
|
Does XtraSpecial credit limit cover voice, SMS and data abroad? |
Yes, until the limit is exhausted. |
|
Will unused XtraValue units roll over if I renew abroad? |
No rollover for the ₦5 500 tier. |
|
Which depletes first if I have both a roaming pack and XtraValue 5500? |
XtraValue units burn first. |
|
Do I pay the ₦102 fee when moving from post-paid back to prepaid? |
First migration after clearing bill is free; later inside 30 days costs ₦102. |
Conclusion: One Size Doesn’t Roam All
- Destination-locked travellers (USA, Canada, India, Malaysia, China) win big with XtraValue 5500—prepay once, use minutes/data abroad and at home.
- Globe-trotters crossing multiple zones or needing one consolidated bill should pick XtraSpecial Post-paid and add the roaming data pack that suits each trip.
Load every top-up or bill payment through SmartSMSSolutions and reclaim 1–2 %—often enough for an extra roaming SMS or that last WhatsApp voice note home.