Fixed LTE - Telkom vs MTN - tower lock?

[hjst45]

If you are using the migration process, the cancellation fee wouldn't apply.

Too little too late, many of us were forced to pay the fee as you guys never proposed an alternative and we thought we'd indefinitely be stuck with CellC...

 

[AfriMan]

Too little too late, many of us were forced to pay the fee as you guys never proposed an alternative and we thought we'd indefinitely be stuck with CellC...

Sorry about that If you are still wanting to sign up with MTN through us but cancelled with a penalty, I think I could sort something out with our accounts department.

 

[hjst45]

Sorry about that If you are still wanting to sign up with MTN through us but cancelled with a penalty, I think I could sort something out with our accounts department.

Yes I do. PM?

 

[AfriMan]

Yes I do. PM?

Got it

 

[wingnut771]

I guess there are going to be exceptions, but the LTE providers might still view that as a "mobile" solution.

I guess then you gotta go with whichever one will allow you to do that - but you may sacrifice coverage and performance

My personal opinion - the MTN offer has a pretty decent router (great WiFi coverage and penetration for walls etc) and also offers great coverage and performance.

being tower locked, doesn't it mean that it just doesn't automatically hop towers if moving to another location, but if the device is switched off then moved and turned on again, then it will be "locked" to the new tower?

 

[AfriMan]

being tower locked, doesn't it mean that it just doesn't automatically hop towers if moving to another location, but if the device is switched off then moved and turned on again, then it will be "locked" to the new tower?

As far as I know, we have to apply to MTN to unlock the device, and then it will lock to the nearest tower when re-activated. I haven't actually done the process yet, so will know more when I find a guinea pig.

 

[QilliQ]

Mmm I don't mind the tower lock on mtn, but being locked to this slow as hell zte router is driving me nuts. Get 40mbps at best.... change routers (same sim) (Huawei CPE 5G Pro) speed goes up to 100mbps+ ... But it's no long before I loose connection with that router.

 

[AfriNatic]

Mmm I don't mind the tower lock on mtn, but being locked to this slow as hell zte router is driving me nuts. Get 40mbps at best.... change routers (same sim) (Huawei CPE 5G Pro) speed goes up to 100mbps+ ... But it's no long before I loose connection with that router.

The ZTE performs pretty well in the tests we have done. I know the B618 performs also really well even though it's a legacy router now.

 

[QilliQ]

This should give you a indication on why I'd prefer to use the Huawei over the ZTE

 

[andreva81]

hi there, stupid question perhaps: I'm currently using Rain and want to test the MTN LTE. With the tower lock, am I correct that only the MTN SIM will be locked, not the router? ie Testing an MTN Sim will have no impact on my ability to use the Rain sim in the router in any location, after testing MTN?

 

[AfriNatic]

hi there, stupid question perhaps: I'm currently using Rain and want to test the MTN LTE. With the tower lock, am I correct that only the MTN SIM will be locked, not the router? ie Testing an MTN Sim will have no impact on my ability to use the Rain sim in the router in any location, after testing MTN?

Hi,

There is nothing like a stupid question.

Yes you are correct. The simcard is located to the location and to 4G only. As long as you do not drive it around and use it in one of the approved location you will be go to go. It would not interfere with your current router and won't lock it to that router. You can switch simcards between the devices without any issue.

 

[RedViking]

@AfriNatic will MTN Fixed LTE work in a mobile phone like Telkom Fixed LTE?

I have Telkom Fixed LTE which I have now transferred to a router as a backup for when fibre goes down (Metro). MTN seems to have better signal in the area so want to get the 5GB bundle for my phone.

 

[Afrigirl]

@AfriNatic will MTN Fixed LTE work in a mobile phone like Telkom Fixed LTE?

I have Telkom Fixed LTE which I have now transferred to a router as a backup for when fibre goes down (Metro). MTN seems to have better signal in the area so want to get the 5GB bundle for my phone.

Hi, no the sim will not work on a mobile device.

 

[SHL]

I can confirm that MTN does have a tower lock, and getting it changed to another tower permanently is a huge issue. Go with Telkom.

I can confirm this. Been with Mtn Lte for the past 2 years but speeds have deteriorated drastically recently. Fault logged but I'm not expecting them to resolve the issue so submitted cancellation. Will probably move to Telkom Lte next.