How to buy and share SME, Corporate data and gift data directly from SIM on MTN, 9mobile, airtel and Glo (2023)

In my previous post I wrote how you can become a data reseller without much investment which involves reselling data from a company or wholesaler that buys directly from network providers. But, you may be wondering how those companies  or wholesalers themselves get the data.

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In this article, I'll be explaining all you need to know about buying data in bulk directly from network operator and reselling to people for profits.

Hot: Click to join a WhatsApp group where you can buy data cheaply from group of wholesale data sellers.

How to buy SME and Corporate data from MTN and share data directly from your MTN SIM

MTN data reselling is by far the most popular, easiest and cheapest. In order to resell MTN data, you need to migrate to a special plan for it. The plan was actually created for small and medium-sized enterprises to buy data bundle and share with their staff in order to reduce internet costs for SME businesses. The introduction of this plan opened way for shrewd Nigerians who quickly discovered a business opportunity in it. Due to the low cost per unit of purchasing internet or mobile data in bulk from MTN using this plan, data reseller are able to share their SME data at a reduced price compare to the normal data plan offered by MTN.

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How to buy SME data in bulk directly from MTN and share to customers

Step 1: Migrate your tariff plan to mtn biz plus

To get started, you are required to migrate your current tariff plan to the MTN biz plus tariff plan by sending 460 to 312. Or dial *460*1*1# to migrate to the MTN biz plus tariff plan.

Step 2: Purchase MTN SME data

After migrating to MTN SME plus tariff plan, you can now purchase MTN SME data from the available data plan. Note that the more data purchased the lesser the cost. To purchase MTN SME data, dial *461# and follow the on-screen prompt to purchase MTN SME data. Ensure you have enough airtime in your balance to do this. Or follow this link to buy airtime at wholesale prices in Nigeria.

The highest MTN SME data plan currently on MTN is 25TB SME data plan at a price of ₦5,770,000 with a validity of 90 days. This plan has a share limit of 25,600 beneficiaries. By buying bulk airtime at cheaper price you can further crash the data cost down by 10% or more!

Below is a table showing the different SME data plans available on MTN, their prices, validity, share limits, SMS keywords to activate them, USSD codes to purchase them and the data share denominations possible.

Product Name	Price(N)	Validity	Share Limits	SMS Keyword	USSD String	Share Denominations
25GB SME Data Plan	10,000	30 days	50	468	*461*2*1*1#	500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB & 10GB
35GB SME Data Plan	13,500	30 days	70	501	*461*2*1*2#	500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB & 10GB
165GB SME Data Plan	50,000	60 Days	330	502	*461*2*1*3#	500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB & 10GB
360GB SME Data Plan	100,000	90 Days	720	504	*461*2*1*4#	500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB & 10GB
1TB SME Data Plan	250,000	90 Days	2500	505	*461*2*1*5#	500MB, 1GB, 2GB, 3GB, 5GB & 10GB

Step 3: Register MTN SME data

To start data reselling after purchasing SME data plan, the next step is to register SME data by dialing *461# and choosing the option to register SME data.

Step 4: Change your MTN security key (PIN)

To be able to share your MTN SME data with customers, you need to change your default PIN. To change this PIN, send this message without quote to 312: "SMPIN 0000 1234". Your default PIN is 0000 and your new PIN is 1234. Kindly replace 1234 with your desired PIN.

Step 5: Start sharing or reselling MTN SME data

This is the point at which the data reselling business start. In order to share or sell MTN SME data to your clients, SMS the following to 312 for corresponding value of data you want to sell.

USSD Format	SMS Format to send to 312 to share data	Comment
*461*NUMBER*250*PIN#	SMEA <PhoneNumber> 250 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 250MB
*461*NUMBER*500*PIN#	SMEB <PhoneNumber> 500 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 500MB
*461*NUMBER*1000*PIN#	SMEC <PhoneNumber> 1000 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 1GB
*461*NUMBER*2000*PIN#	SMED <PhoneNumber> 2000 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 2GB
*461*NUMBER*5000*PIN#	SMEE <PhoneNumber> 5000 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 5GB
*461*NUMBER*3000*PIN#	SMEF <PhoneNumber> 3000 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 3GB
*461*NUMBER*10000*PIN#	SMEG <PhoneNumber> 10000 <PIN> to 312	SMS to transfer 10GB

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Important points to note about MTN SME data

• Buying SME data requires high capital to start. This is because you are buying data in bulk so you need high amount of capital to startup to be able to resell at a cheaper rate. Costs of SME data plan ranges between ₦10,000 to ₦5,770,000. The higher the SME data plan the cheaper the cost per unit data.
• To reduce the cost of MTN SME data, wholesale MTN SME data resellers often buy cheap airtime in bulk which is used towards the purchase of bulk MTN SME data and further crash down the price of their MTN SME data. To learn how you can buy cheap MTN airtime in bulk at wholesale prices, click here.
• There's a maximum number of time you can share data for each MTN SME data plan. This limit, also known as share limit, and other information about the SME data plan can be seen when purchasing the SME data plan on myMTN NG app. So, you need to take this into consideration in determining your data price and the amount of data to share to cover up with the cost of data.
• Your data validity doesn't affect the beneficiary's data validity. This implies that the recipient validity is pegged to 30 days from the moment they received the data irrespective of the validity of the sponsor data.

As a result of the inherent problem and risks associated with buying data directly from MTN and other network. I have written a post on how you can circumvent this risk by buying data cheaply from an SME data wholesaler who bears all the challenges and calculations associated with managing your SME data business. Click to read the post here.

How to share data through MTN data gifting

MTN data gifting service allows MTN customers to purchase a mobile data plan for their loved ones using their mobile credit or airtime.

There's no service charge for gifting data and also you don't need a PIN to gift data on MTN with your airtime. You can gift any amount of data without limit on MTN network with your airtime balance.

There are several ways by which you can gift data on MTN. These include using the myMTN NG app which can be downloaded on the Google Play Store or Apple appstore and the USSD code.

How to gift data on MTN using the USSD code

Ensure your MTN line is loaded with enough airtime. You can follow this link to buy cheap bulk airtime in Nigeria. To gift data on MTN network follow the steps below:

1. Dail *321# on your mobile phone. Then, select "Gift Data" option. Choose "Buy for a Friend" option in the next screen.
   
2. Select a data plan to gift. You can gift most of the data plans on the MTN networks which include Broadband (Hynetflex) bundles, social bundles and the regular data bundles.
   
3. Enter the recipient's number. Then, tap send. A notification will pop-up telling you that you've successfully gifted data to the recipient number.
   
   
   

How to gift data on MTN using myMTN NG app

To gift data on MTN using myMTN NG app follow the steps below:

1. Download myMTN NG app on your phone app store. Click here to download myMTN NG app on Google Play Store if you're yet to download the app on your mobile phone.
2. Open the app and tap on "buy bundle".
   
3. Tap "buy for others" to change from buying for yourself to buying for someone else.
   
4. Enter recipient number and tap "proceed" button.
   
   
   
5. Select a bundle category from the different "bundle categories" option.
   
   
   
6. Select data bundle to buy and tap on "buy now" button.
   
7. Tap on "proceed to pay" button.
   
   
   
8. Select "Pay with Airtime" and tap on the "pay" button. You'll receive a success screen message if your data gifting is successful.
   

MTN corporate data gifting

MTN corporate data gifting is designed for corporate organisations to serve as a means of rewarding customers with data.

An organization purchases data in large quantities and distributes it through either an API gateway connection or a self-service platform. The customers receive the data and can use it right away.

How to buy MTN corporate data gifting plan

To buy MTN corporate data gifting plan, you need to be a registered business as the plan is designed for small businesses only. To purchase the plan, you'll need to officially contact the business unit of MTN and send payment to MTN official corporate bank account. You can send an email to MTN business department at LetsTalk.NG@mtn.com

Another option to get MTN corporate data gifting plan is to buy through registered business. You'll find a lot of corporate data resellers and business by in WhatsApp group of data and airtime vendors in Nigeria. Click here to join the group.

How to share MTN corporate data gifting plan to customers

Once you've purchased an MTN corporate data gifting plan from MTN, your line will be credited with the data bundle and you'll have a dedicated portal through which you can share the data to customers.

How to buy SME and Corporate data from 9mobile and share data directly from your 9mobile SIM

Just like MTN SME data share, 9mobile has SME data plan which can be used to sell data but in addition to this, one can make use of Etisalat/9mobile data gifting to share or sell data.

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Method 1: How to gift data on 9mobile/Etisalat

With airtime, 9mobile subscribers are able to buy data plans on the network for other 9mobile subscribers.

1. Load your line with sufficient airtime by buying cheap airtime in bulk to further bring down price. Learn more on buying bulk airtime at cheaper rate by clicking here.
2. Gift data by dialing the 9mobile data gifting code. With Etisalat/9mobile data gifting method, you are gifting data directly from your phone using your airtime, for your beneficiary and as such you are advised to always check your airtime before gifting to avoid gifting twice in cases of bad network or late notification from the network provider.

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Direct Etisalat/9mobile data gifting code for different data plans

To gift data on 9mobile, all you need to do is add the recipient mobile number to the direct code for purchasing the data bundle you want to gift. Below are tables showing the different 9mobile data plans, size, data price and the code for gifting them.

365 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
1Tb	₦100,000	*229*5*3*number#

180 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
165gb	₦50,000	*229*5*2*number#
600gb	₦70,000	*229*5*8*number#

90 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
75gb	₦25,000	*229*5*1*number#
425gb	₦50,000	*229*5*7*number#

60 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
225gb	₦30,000	*229*5*6*number#

30 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
500mb	₦500	*229*2*11*number#
1.5gb	₦1,000	*229*2*7*number#
2gb	₦1,200	*229*2*25*number#
3gb	₦1,500	*229*2*3*number#
4.5gb	₦2,000	*229*2*8*number#
12gb	₦3,000	*229*2*5*number#
11gb	₦4,000	*229*2*36*number#
15gb	₦5,000	*229*2*37*number#
40gb	₦10,000	*229*4*1*number#
75gb	₦15,000	*229*2*4*number#
125gb	₦20,000	*229*2*6*number#

7 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
7gb	₦1,500	*229*2*2*number#
1gb	₦500	*229*2*1*number#

3 Days data Plan

Size	Data Price	USSD Code
2gb	₦500	*229*3*4*number#

The 'number' should be the number of your recipient. To get better price buy airtime in bulk at a cheaper rate or use the etisalat/9mobile SME data share method which will be explained next.

Method 2: How to buy SME data in bulk directly from 9mobile/Etisalat and share to customers

This method is just like the MTN SME data plan for business users. You need to purchase a 9mobile SME data plan and share data from the wallet balance to your beneficiary on the 9mobile network.

Step 1: Migrate to more business compact on your Etisalat/9mobile SIM

Dial *246*4*3# to migrate to More Business Compact, the access fee is N500

Step 2: Subscribe to any 9mobile SME data plan you want

Subscribe to any of the SME DATA plan you wish using the code in the table below:

Data Plan	Price	USSD Code
15gb	₦5000	*917*9*1#
40gb	₦10,000	*917*9*2#
75gb	₦15,000	*917*9*4#
130gb	₦25,000	*917*9*5#
185gb	₦35,000	*917*9*6#
240gb	₦45,000	*917*9*7#

All valid for 30 days.

Step 3: Share data to customers

To assign Data to beneficiaries
Dial *917*9*pin*data volume*beneficiary's number*3#

Your default PIN is 1234. Your beneficiary's number is your customer's number (the person you are selling data to). Data volume is the amount of data you are sharing or selling.

Tips for Etisalat/9mobile SME data share method

• To check your 9mobile SME data balance dial *917*9#
• To delete beneficiary from your group dial *917*9*pin*number*2#
• To view your beneficiaries dial *917*9*9#
• Your default PIN is 1234
• To change your PIN, dial *247*newpin*oldpin#
• To opt-out of SME share data service renewal, Dial: *917*9*0#.

9mobile corporate data gifting 

Like MTN, 9mobile has a special data plan for corporate businesses and organizations to allow them get data cheaply in bulk which can be shared on the network with employees within the organisations. Unlike SME data plan which can be purchased by any subscriber on the network, 9mobile corporate data gifting can only be requested and purchased by registered businesses by contacting 9mobile business unit.

How to buy SME and Corporate data from Glo and share data directly from your Glo SIM

Like MTN and 9mobile, Glo has its own SME data plan that allows subscribers on the network to buy cheap Glo data plan which can be reshared to other customers on the network.

To resell Glo data, it's advisable to buy cheap airtime in bulk from an airtime vendor to further reduce cost of your data and crash the price of your data plans to make you stand out from other data sellers. Click here to learn how to buy cheap Glo airtime in bulk from me.

Steps on how to share Glo data through data gifting method

Below is the code and steps to follow to gift data on Glo network:

1. Dial *777# (ensure you have airtime as this is what you are using to gift data to your beneficiary).
2. Select the data option, then select option for gift data.
3. Follow the on-screen prompt to select the data plan you want to gift.
4. Enter your customers number. That's all you don't need to enter any PIN.

Glo SME data and corporate data gifting plans

Like other networks, Glo has an SME data plan and corporate data gifting plan specifically tailored for business enterprises to reduce cost of data.

Unlike other networks, Glo SME data plan cannot be purchased directly through USSD option. To purchase Glo SME data plan, you need to contact Glo business unit. This also applies to Glo corporate data gifting plan.

How to buy Corporate data from Airtel and share airtel data directly from your Airtel SIM 

Airtel data share like Etisalat and Glo uses the data gifting method too. Get cheap bulk airtime as usual to further reduce the cost and price of your data

How to share Airtel data through data gifting

To gift data on Airtel network, below is the code to dial and steps to follow:

1. Dial *321#. Select the option "Gift Data Bundle" which is the option 2.
2. Select the option "Data Gifting" which is the option 2.
3. Choose the plan you want to gift to your customer and select 1 which is activate.
4. Insert your customer's number. Then, your PIN. The default PIN is 1234.

Changing your default Airtel data gifting PIN

You can change your Airtel data gifting PIN from the default PIN to any 4 digit number of your choice. Dial *321# to get started. Select the option "Gift Data Bundle" which is the option 2 and choose the option "Change PIN" which is option 1. Enter your current PIN which is 1234 for default PIN. Enter your desired four digit PIN.

To reduce cost of running data reselling business, reseller do look for means of buying airtime at a cheaper rate. You can click here to learn more on how to buy bulk airtime at discount rate.

Airtel corporate data gifting

Like MTN, 9mobile and Glo, Airtel too has a corporate data gifting plan designed for small businesses and organizations to share data with employees or customers on the network.

You have to be a registered business to purchase Airtel corporate data gifting and you can purchase it by officially contacting the business unit at Airtel.

You can also resell Airtel corporate data and buy Airtel corporate data cheaply from data vendors by joining this WhatsApp group of data and airtime vendors.

That's it on how to start your own mobile data reselling business. You have successfully got all the needed and necessary information to start your own mobile data selling business in Nigeria free of charge! Make sure you keep updated with my articles to get other legit businesses you can do in Nigeria.

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Difference between SME data and normal/direct data gifting

The difference between SME data and normal data gifting is the mode of delivering the data.

In SME, data is transferred to the customer from the bulk of data already purchased while in gifting, a normal data bundle plan is purchased directly for the customer.

Normal data gifting plans are more like what a customer buys directly from MTN when they are subscribing by themselves and they come with every benefits and bonuses you enjoy when you buy for yourself with your phone airtime.

The same code you use for checking your MTN data balance when you subscribe directly from MTN (*323*4#) is the same code you use for checking your MTN data balance when you received data through gifting, while *461*4# is the code for checking MTN SME data balance.

Also, in MTN SME, 1gb is 1000mb while in gifting, 1gb is equivalent to 1024mb. Other than these differences, there's no other differences as both data serve their purpose of connecting you to the internet with the same quality of service.

Difference between SME data and corporate data gifting

The difference between SME data and corporate data gifting is not quite much. Aside the package name, both data works the same way. You can dial *323*4# to check your MTN corporate data gifting balance while for MTN SME data, the code to check your balance is *461*4#. 1gb in MTN SME is usually 1000mb while 1gb for MTN corporate data gifting is the usual 1024mb. Both data are purchased in bulk from MTN and shared to customers from the data balance.

Difference between corporate data gifting and normal/direct data gifting

As explained earlier, your normal data gifting is the same with regular data plans available on the network. Any eligible data plans can be gifted with enough airtime on the line. So, normal data gifting is like purchasing an already existing data plan on the network for a customer while corporate data gifting is shared from a data balance already purchased in bulk from the network. Corporate data gifting offers the same quality of service (connecting you to the internet) which an equal quantity of data from any normal data plan would offer.