Inbound Connections / Unrestricted APN (MTNVPN)

elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Below the reply from the MTN guy ...



What does 2 numbers on MTNVPN equate to? IP addresses, (not likely) Ports possible, or something entirely different altogether .... ?

I need to be able to have random clients in the Zimbabwe, UK, Belgium, US, Australia/New Zealand, connect to a small server I run, it currently has a MTN SIM in the modem, currently one way connection to these sites, but two way communication is much more efficient, content is mostly text messages, and some small files ...

I need to be able to SSH, to this box, and I need to have the port for the server application open. That is the absolute minimum, requirement, (2x open ports) I would also like to be able to SSH to the box, and when required open either HTTP or FTP ports, and then be able to SSH back, and close them, again as required. Linux/FreeBSD operating system ...

Can this be done with a MTNVPN or shall I change the SIM to a VODACOM one ...
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From my experience, yes, I am sure mtnvpn APN will allow you to do all that as I have sites running right now and although only use web-based HTTP server, from my understanding all the ports are open including SSH.

The difficultly now is the question on how to activate as they have changed their procedure. You used to be able to just phone 1555 and ask for activation onto mtnvpn APN and it was done. Now, you have to phone 808 as "1555 does not have access to system to make changes to accounts".

I am the moment trying to 3 new SIM cards activated on mtnvpn and have sent through the request to someone at 808 on company letterhead which is required for companies and going to see what happens. Not sure what the procedure is for consumers.

I want to say stick with MTN as they can assist and have better network but as you can see, getting the simple things done like APN activation requests takes forever. Hopefully I will get this new activation procedure nailed until they change it again without notice..........
 
nic777 said:
From my experience, yes, I am sure mtnvpn APN will allow you to do all that as I have sites running right now and although only use web-based HTTP server, from my understanding all the ports are open including SSH.

The difficultly now is the question on how to activate as they have changed their procedure. You used to be able to just phone 1555 and ask for activation onto mtnvpn APN and it was done. Now, you have to phone 808 as "1555 does not have access to system to make changes to accounts".

I am the moment trying to 3 new SIM cards activated on mtnvpn and have sent through the request to someone at 808 on company letterhead which is required for companies and going to see what happens. Not sure what the procedure is for consumers.

I want to say stick with MTN as they can assist and have better network but as you can see, getting the simple things done like APN activation requests takes forever. Hopefully I will get this new activation procedure nailed until they change it again without notice..........
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Okay, I'll keep on corresponding with the MTN contact, I have found. MTNVPN is rather misleading name for this facility, if all ports are open as you have indicated - VPN is a point to point protocol, i.e. a secure tunnel from one specific system, direct to another specific system ... , and that is it ...

Another thing I don't understand is the 2x numbers referred to - is this a telephone company trying to relate to internet terminology or what ...

Have asked the MTN contact ...

What SIM's are you using prepaid, or contract?
 
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elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Okay, I'll keep on corresponding with the MTN contact, I have found. MTNVPN is rather misleading name for this facility, if all ports are open as you have indicated - VPN is a point to point protocol, i.e. a secure tunnel from one specific system, direct to another specific system ... , and that is it ...

Another thing I don't understand is the 2x numbers referred to - is this a telephone company trying to relate to internet terminology or what ...

Have asked the MTN contact ...

What SIM's are you using prepaid, or contract?
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Ok great, good luck, hopefully he comes back to you soon. And if he/she is good, please give me your contact's details as well :)

For the SIM's I use contract as mtnvpn is only allowed on contract.

I have mentioned many times that prepaid should be an option like it is on Vodacom and if they are scared of people holding them liable for security breaches or airtime used on the SIM card when open to the internet, then they should use the liability form that Vodacom uses. Works well.

I also don't understand the 2 numbers. What I have noticed that as soon as you mention APN to some MTN contacts they immediately think corporate APN and try to sell you this large APN contract rather than just activating a simple thing on SIM card.
 
nic777 said:
Ok great, good luck, hopefully he comes back to you soon. And if he/she is good, please give me your contact's details as well :)
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I will do so, ... :)

For the SIM's I use contract as mtnvpn is only allowed on contract.
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That is also how I understand it ... :(

I have mentioned many times that prepaid should be an option like it is on Vodacom and if they are scared of people holding them liable for security breaches or airtime used on the SIM card when open to the internet, then they should use the liability form that Vodacom uses. Works well.
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Agree fully ...

I also don't understand the 2 numbers. What I have noticed that as soon as you mention APN to some MTN contacts they immediately think corporate APN and try to sell you this large APN contract rather than just activating a simple thing on SIM card.
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I have a suspicion, that they have to do with the ability to use an ancient, POTS modem, to dial-in to your MTNVPN modem, and make a terminal connection, but I want confirmation ... , a handy ability, when you have contacts in places like Zimbabwe ... , I feel for them folks ...
 
nic777 said:
Ok great, good luck, hopefully he comes back to you soon. And if he/she is good, please give me your contact's details as well :)

For the SIM's I use contract as mtnvpn is only allowed on contract.

I have mentioned many times that prepaid should be an option like it is on Vodacom and if they are scared of people holding them liable for security breaches or airtime used on the SIM card when open to the internet, then they should use the liability form that Vodacom uses. Works well.

I also don't understand the 2 numbers. What I have noticed that as soon as you mention APN to some MTN contacts they immediately think corporate APN and try to sell you this large APN contract rather than just activating a simple thing on SIM card.
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I surmise that MTNVPN and 2 numbers, product description would be "an unrestricted APN, with 2 numbers, one being for voice, and the second for analogue modem connection"

And it is because of the 2 numbers, one of which is a "port" that an analogue modem can connect to, that they require you to have a contract, even if it is only the cheapest "Top-Up" contract ...

That is my guess ... , also that very few people these days have reason to use an analogue modem in SA - that the sales droids at MTN don't know why/what the reason/rationale behind the 2 numbers is ...

Still no answer from the MTN guys ... yet tho ...
 
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Okay, got MTNVPN activated on my SIM, but it seems the high ports are blocked, which is where my appication requires it.

Anyone done a nmap or similar scan on an MTNVPN connection, and can post the results?

Going to try nmap myself, and see how much progress I can make with it
 
elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Okay, got MTNVPN activated on my SIM, but it seems the high ports are blocked, which is where my application requires it.

Anyone done a nmap or similar scan on an MTNVPN connection, and can post the results?

Going to try nmap myself, and see how much progress I can make with it
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EISH!!! <scratches head> now it works ... <shakes head>
 
Hehe, well thats good.

Glad you got sorted, also got my cards on MTNVPN after finding a reseller who can push through my requests direct to the correct people who know what is going on.
 
nic777 said:
Hehe, well thats good.

Glad you got sorted, also got my cards on MTNVPN after finding a reseller who can push through my requests direct to the correct people who know what is going on.
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Glad to hear it ... , cost me a lot of phone call's tho <sigh>, problem is, you find a good bloke, then he gets transferred, resigns or just goes AWOL ... :(
 
open ports

I cannot believe they do not offer this for prepaid? Has no one come right with this?
I soooo need the standard ports like FTP to be open. Sigh.
I have the vodacom unrestricted apn but hardly any signal.
 
Schweet ass, how did you manage that? :)

Prepaid should now be an option since they have removed bill limits now.
 
nic777 said:
Schweet ass, how did you manage that? :)

Prepaid should now be an option since they have removed bill limits now.
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Other than making a lot of calls, writing as many e-mails, I got a call, and was asked for the number, already mentioned in the many e-mail and telephonic communications, and 10 minutes later it was activated.

One thing I don't understand, is that the SMS I got with the APN gives it as mtnvpn.co.za - which does not work, but just mtnvpn does ...

From something, one guy said on the phone, I believe he was waiting for some "change" to take place ... , no further explination given, and I did not think to query it ...
 
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elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Other than making a lot of calls, writing as many e-mails, I got a call, and was asked for the number, already mentioned in the many e-mail and telephonic communications, and 10 minutes later it was activated.

One thing I don't understand, is that the SMS I got with the APN gives it as mtnvpn.co.za - which does not work, but just mtnvpn does ...

From something, one guy said on the phone, I believe he was waiting for some "change" to take place ... , no further explination given, and I did not think to query it ...
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That is great news.
Could you please tell me which route to follow to have this activated? I have been disappointed so many times....
 
elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Mine is on prepaid ... :)
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I was just very rudely informed by one of their data agents that this is not possible for prepaid. When I got transferred to the next person, she pretended not to hear me.

Not convinced they are serious about business. Then again...one person requiring incoming connections hardly qualifies as business.
 
JohnnyBravo said:
I was just very rudely informed by one of their data agents that this is not possible for prepaid. When I got transferred to the next person, she pretended not to hear me.

Not convinced they are serious about business. Then again...one person requiring incoming connections hardly qualifies as business.
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I started with one guy, and was passed on to at least two others, over 3 weeks or so, then one morning I got a call on my cell, requesting the number I required the service on, and 10 minutes later got a SMS with the APN. As I was on my way to work, could only test later, and it worked ...
 
elf_lord_ZC5 said:
I started with one guy, and was passed on to at least two others, over 3 weeks or so, then one morning I got a call on my cell, requesting the number I required the service on, and 10 minutes later got a SMS with the APN. As I was on my way to work, could only test later, and it worked ...
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Well lucky you. With me it is now just a series of "occording to the worklog you have already been informed this is not possible, why are you phoning again".
If only Cellc can get the act together and form the process of requesting an unrestricted apn.
 
JohnnyBravo said:
Well lucky you. With me it is now just a series of "occording to the worklog you have already been informed this is not possible, why are you phoning again".
If only Cellc can get the act together and form the process of requesting an unrestricted apn.
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Vodacom, also have a working "unrestricted" APN, you just fill in a disclaimer form and some hours later I got a call notifying me that it was approved and activated.
 
elf_lord_ZC5 said:
Vodacom, also have a working "unrestricted" APN, you just fill in a disclaimer form and some hours later I got a call notifying me that it was approved and activated.
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Thanks, yes. I have the vodacom unrestricted apn, unfortunately accompanied with zero 3G signal where I stay.
 
JohnnyBravo said:
Thanks, yes. I have the vodacom unrestricted apn, unfortunately accompanied with zero 3G signal where I stay.
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That unfortunately is the "balls up" that cellular reception is ...

I can play CSS on my E220 at home, on Vodacom and MTN, my Step-son cannot on either of them ... , MTN ping is just 15-20 higher ... , another location, it is different again ... :( ... , not that ADSL is a heck of a lot better :whistle:
 
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