Afrihost MTN Fixed LTE-A Thread

I can log into the MTN portal but it doesnt how how much data a client has, something is messed up.

2 clients currently down.
 
Something major is broken

My phone won’t make calls and keeps popping up “could not activate data network” every 60 seconds.

I’m out and have crossed a few towers so it must be a broader issue
 
neoprema said:
Something major is broken

My phone won’t make calls and keeps popping up “could not activate data network” every 60 seconds.

I’m out and have crossed a few towers so it must be a broader issue
Click to expand...

Mine has just come back up, after being down for over an hour and a half.

Apparently a large part of MTN's network went south. :(
 
The normal afrihost airmobile MTN still seems good my side luckily, in PE, but this is on the 5G network, and also not FLTE.
 
I’m on my cars Wi-Fi now. Will switch back to mobile data and check
 
My phone still won't connect. I forced it to 3G and it could do something. but back on automatric its dead.
 
nolsie1 said:
@AfriNatic , @Afrihost-Gian
What is the problem with the Afrihost wireless network in Rosebank, Cape Town. Cannot even perform a speedtest. Is there a problem with the MTN network? If so, what and how long to resolve?
Click to expand...

Please can you send @AfriNatic and @Afrigirl a message with your email address so we can look into the issue for you?
 
Hi @AfriNatic @Afrigirl @AfriGuy

I'm diagnosing a very strange issue for past few days. Just activated a Afrihost MTN Fixed LTE at a site in Selby, Johannesburg last week.

The LTE router (ZTE unit from Afrihost) is connected to a firewall as a failover WAN link. Essentially, the problem is that connection times out when a client attempts to connect to a SSL service at the site (https, openvpn etc.)
I have done packet captures, and determined that the client establishes the connection (SYN, SYN ACK, ACK) successfully. Then the server successfully receives the "ClientHello" packet from the client as part of the TLS handshake. The server then sends the "ServerHello" and the cipher options etc - HOWEVER, none of these packets make it out back to the client - which then times out. I noticed some TCP "re-transmissions" in WireShark - but none make it through to the other end. Note: HTTP/Telnet (non-encrypted) traffic works perfectly fine .

Strange thing is I noticed the TLS handshake did work after midnight this morning (12-1am), then stopped again in the morning (~8am)

I have replaced the ZTE router with a spare B618 which is in working order - exact same issue persists.

I have 2 other sites in JHB with same Afrihost Fixed MTN service - both no such issue.

I have a suspicion that the specific MTN tower this site is using may have some mis-configuration or fault.

@AfriNatic @Afrigirl @AfriGuy please advise how to go about resolving this as we can't make use of this service without SSL.
Let me know if you require any further info.
Thank you
 
Morning, please drop me a PM with your account details. I will need to log a fault with MTN.
 
Hi @Afrigirl

PM sent.

Last night I set up a small workflow that makes an HTTPS GET request via the affected connection every 10 minutes.
Started at around 1:30AM and it was successful every 10 minutes until 6AM. From then until now still getting timeout.
See attached:

Screenshot 2022-09-21 135624.png
 
rm501 said:
Hi @Afrigirl

PM sent.

Last night I set up a small workflow that makes an HTTPS GET request via the affected connection every 10 minutes.
Started at around 1:30AM and it was successful every 10 minutes until 6AM. From then until now still getting timeout.
See attached:

View attachment 1387018
Click to expand...

Just an update.

Left the above workflow to run continuously, and indeed between the hours of 6:00AM - 12:00AM SAST (18 hours a day) any TLS traffic (incoming AND outgoing) fails to pass through this service. These days almost all websites are now using HTTPS therefore rendering this service practically unusable for even web surfing.

@Afrigirl Looking forward to receiving feedback from MTN support.

Thank you
 
rm501 said:
Just an update.

Left the above workflow to run continuously, and indeed between the hours of 6:00AM - 12:00AM SAST (18 hours a day) any TLS traffic (incoming AND outgoing) fails to pass through this service. These days almost all websites are now using HTTPS therefore rendering this service practically unusable for even web surfing.

@Afrigirl Looking forward to receiving feedback from MTN support.

Thank you
Click to expand...
Hi @Afrigirl @AfriFella

Any news regarding this issue?

Now I see we are experiencing same issue at a site in Mayfair, Johannesburg.

@Afrigirl I will send the details on PM.

Thank you
 
I have a ZTE MF286chw bought through Afrihost with an MTN FLTE SIM.

Anyone know if there's a way to save the router's config file? I've added WiFi MAC whitelist etc. and wouldn't want to have to redo that in the future. Maybe a hidden menu item? 'cos I couldn't find it.
 
I see my area has MTN 5G coverage and there are some routers in the approved MTN/Afrihost list that are 5G capable. If I get a 5G router and the signal is good enough, would I be able to use my existing Afrihost Pure LTE package on 5G?
 
1am7h30n3 said:
I see my area has MTN 5G coverage and there are some routers in the approved MTN/Afrihost list that are 5G capable. If I get a 5G router and the signal is good enough, would I be able to use my existing Afrihost Pure LTE package on 5G?
Click to expand...
Correct - we have successfully deployed the ZTE MC801A 2km from the nearest tower and get speeds of between 150 and 350MB/s.
 
dotcat said:
Correct - we have successfully deployed the ZTE MC801A 2km from the nearest tower and get speeds of between 150 and 350MB/s.
Click to expand...
That's great speed! I'm also hoping maybe there would be less congestion on the tower on 5G since most would still be using 4G.

Edit: Oh I see 5G routers aren't very available and are quite expensive.
 
Last edited:
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