How to Buy in Bulk Directly From Mobile Networks Corporate Data Gifting, Data Cards, SME Data
Ever wondered where major data resellers or websites source their Corporate Data Gifting (CG), SME data, and MTN data cards? This article explains the entire process, from purchasing in bulk directly from mobile network operators to selling them from your own SIM.
Buckle up!
Note: If you are simply looking to purchase affordable data for personal use or for customers without the hassle of bulk buying, complete this buy cheap data form instead.
Buying SME or corporate data gifting in bulk directly from network operators typically requires significant capital investment, often in the millions of Naira, and a registered business.
If you are starting data reselling business with little capital, it is advisable to begin by buying from wholesale data vendors rather than directly from the networks.
Key Takeaways
- SME and Corporate Data Gifting (CG) allow businesses to share bulk data with multiple beneficiaries.
- Direct purchase from networks like MTN and Glo often requires official partnership and business registration.
- MTN has discontinued public USSD codes for SME data; access is now primarily through business partnerships.
- Glo offers specific School Data Packs and Bulk Data services for enterprises.
- Starting with a wholesale reseller is recommended for beginners with low capital.
What Are SME Data Plans?
SME data plans are specialised bundles designed specifically for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. They allow businesses to purchase cheap mobile data in bulk, which they can subsequently share with employees or staff to facilitate remote work.
Unlike sharing normal or regular data plans, SME data plans offer greater flexibility and higher sharing limits as they are explicitly designed for distribution.
How To Purchase SME Data Directly From MTN
Status Update: As reported by a data vendor in a Facebook group for data reseller, MTN discontinued public access to SME data plans via USSD and the myMTN app around March 13, 2025.
While direct USSD purchase is no longer available for the general public, you may still access these plans by contacting the MTN business department at [email protected].
This process often involves submitting documentation and entering into an official partnership with MTN to become a reseller.
The Old Method Of Buying MTN SME Data (For Posterity)
Below is the method that was previously used to purchase SME data via USSD. This is retained for historical reference.
Step 1: Migrate To MTN Biz Plus
Users were required to migrate to the MTN Biz Plus tariff plan by dialing *460*1*1# or sending 460 to 312.
Step 2: Load Airtime
Sufficient airtime was required to purchase the plan. You can still buy cheap bulk airtime at discount rates from EDPlugNG to reduce operational costs.
Step 3: Purchase The Data
Dialing *461# provided access to the purchase menu. Larger plans attracted lower unit costs.
The highest tier was the 25TB SME data plan, priced at ₦5,770,000 with a 90-day validity and a sharing limit of 25,600 beneficiaries.
| Product Name | Price (₦) | Validity | Share Limits | USSD String |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25GB SME Plan | 10,000 | 30 days | 50 | *461*2*1*1# |
| 35GB SME Plan | 13,500 | 30 days | 70 | *461*2*1*2# |
| 165GB SME Plan | 50,000 | 60 days | 330 | *461*2*1*3# |
| 360GB SME Plan | 100,000 | 90 days | 720 | *461*2*1*4# |
| 1TB SME Plan | 250,000 | 90 days | 2500 | *461*2*1*5# |
Step 4: Register And Share
After purchasing, users had to register the data by dialing *461#. A default PIN (0000) had to be changed to a secure PIN for transfers.
What Is Corporate Data Gifting?
Similar to SME plans, Corporate Data Gifting (CG) is tailored for larger corporate entities such as banks, schools, and churches. These plans can be purchased in massive quantities (Terabytes) and distributed to staff or used to reward customers.
How To Purchase MTN Corporate Data Gifting
According to the official MTN website, you can buy corporate data in bulk to share via an API gateway or self-service platform. This requires contacting MTN directly at [email protected] and expressing interest in a partnership.
How To Purchase Corporate Data Gifting From Glo
Glo offers two primary data solutions for corporate clients:
Glo School Data Packs
These packs are designed to facilitate online teaching and learning by allowing schools to share data among teachers and students. Features include access restrictions to specific educational portals or open internet access.
Below is a summary of the pricing and volume as per the Glo official website:
| Volume (GB) | Price (₦) | Validity (Days) | Rate / GB (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 295,000 | 30 | 295 |
| 2,000 | 570,000 | 90 | 285 |
| 5,000 | 1,375,000 | 90 | 275 |
| 10,000 | 2,700,000 | 90 | 270 |
| 50,000 | 12,000,000 | 90 | 240 |
| 1,000,000 | 210,000,000 | 90 | 210 |
To purchase, visit the Glo business solutions page and use the "CONTACT US" button to submit a request form.
Glo Bulk Data
The Glo Bulk Data Service is a self-service portal for flexible data allocation. It allows enterprise customers to gift data repeatedly to beneficiaries.
Key Features:
- API Integration: Easy programmatic connection for automated vending.
- No Sharing Limits: Gift data to the same beneficiary multiple times.
- Validity: The bulk plan lasts 90 days, while gifted data lasts 30 days.
- Customisable: Notification SMS can be tailored to your brand.
To start using Glo Bulk Data, send an email to [email protected].
Purchasing Corporate Data From T2mobile And Airtel
T2mobile (Formerly 9mobile)
Specific public information on T2mobile corporate gifting is limited. Registered businesses are advised to contact the corporate care unit directly at [email protected] to enquire about bespoke packages.
Airtel Corporate Solutions
Airtel offers a Shared Data Bucket Plan, which functions as a pool of data accessible by a group within an organisation. While distinct from standard SME gifting, it serves a similar purpose.
To access these services, visit the Airtel business website and complete the contact form to request specific corporate plans.
What Are MTN Data Coupons?
MTN Data Coupons (or Data Cards) are physical or digital PINs that load data directly onto a line, similar to airtime recharge cards. They are excellent for organisations wishing to reward customer loyalty.
Beneficiaries can redeem these coupons via the myMTN app, by dialing *312#, or visiting the MTN website. To purchase these in bulk, contact [email protected].
Generally, purchasing directly from mobile network operators requires a registered business and significant capital. However, you can buy from third-party resellers like EDPlugNG without these requirements.
SME data is targeted at small businesses with moderate sharing limits, while Corporate Data Gifting (CG) is designed for large enterprises, often offering API access and higher volume capacities.
If you cannot afford the millions required for direct partnership, you should start by buying from wholesale vendors like EDPlugNG who break these bulk plans down into smaller, affordable units.
Conclusion
Sourcing Corporate Data Gifting and SME plans directly from network providers is the most cost-effective method for large-scale operations, but it requires substantial capital and documentation. For many startups, utilizing wholesale data vendors remains the most viable entry point into the market.
Are you ready to scale your data business, or will you start small with a reseller package?
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