MTN fixed LTE allowed routers

[DTBA]

I will agree. This is silly considering one cant make use of Mikrotik LHG outdoor routers which would be perfect for remote & rural customers.

I have a mikrotik LHG, been using it with normal MTN/afrihost uncapped for ages now. I want to switch to the fixed LTE, but I can't the router they listed won't work in my house as old thick bricked house blocks so much signal

 

[Went_For_Beer]

Just get the sim only package. If they ask tell them you have one of the approved routers

 

[DTBA]

Just get the sim only package. If they ask tell them you have one of the approved routers

 

[Peon]

I have a mikrotik LHG, been using it with normal MTN/afrihost uncapped for ages now. I want to switch to the fixed LTE, but I can't the router they listed won't work in my house as old thick bricked house blocks so much signal

Yeah its not cool. I wish they allowed these external CPE's from Mikrotik. It would make things so much simpler.

 

[Jake45]

I'll see if they'll let me test it, but I doubt it. I'm trying to not buy another another router though. Strongly thinking of alternatives.

Thanks!

If Cell C Home Connecta Flexi (also uses MTN - prepaid - no restrictions on router) is one of your alternatives send me a PM and I might have some suggestions for you. If you are planning to use more than 50+50GB per month then there are probably cheaper options.

 

[DTBA]

@Afrigirl

Would you guys be able to add or test more router to your packages.

Some of us use router with better signal like https://miro.co.za/02-broadband-wir...cpe/253-mikrotik-lhg-lte-lte-outdoor-cpe.html

and better control


Does the router lock come from your side or mtn side? Pretty sure few more people will sign up with afrihost if you can add more of the advance routers

 

[IamNoone]

@Afrigirl

Would you guys be able to add or test more router to your packages.

Some of us use router with better signal like https://miro.co.za/02-broadband-wir...cpe/253-mikrotik-lhg-lte-lte-outdoor-cpe.html

and better control


Does the router lock come from your side or mtn side? Pretty sure few more people will sign up with afrihost if you can add more of the advance routers

Unfortunately the router is not approved. MTN decides the approved devices on their system.

The locks come from MTN.

 

[Afrigirl]

@Afrigirl

Would you guys be able to add or test more router to your packages.

Some of us use router with better signal like https://miro.co.za/02-broadband-wir...cpe/253-mikrotik-lhg-lte-lte-outdoor-cpe.html

and better control


Does the router lock come from your side or mtn side? Pretty sure few more people will sign up with afrihost if you can add more of the advance routers

Hello.

We would have to apply for the router to be added with MTN; they then review the request and accept it if possible.

 

[DTBA]

Unfortunately the router is not approved. MTN decides the approved devices on their system.

The locks come from MTN.

sadface

 

[Voldemort]

I think we need to separate the Fixed-LTE discussion from the standard LTE, it appears to be causing confusion?

 

[Rickster]

All CAT6> routers should be allowed, not sure why it needs to a specific model.

 

[warwickw]

The Mikrotik Chateau LTE6 is on their approved list. We have a number of them working for staff around the country. Just wish Vodacom would add it to their approved list.

 

[PJJansen]

The Mikrotik Chateau LTE6

I highly doubt it.
Regardless of the packaging (Chateau, SXT, WAP) the restriction will be on the modem used on the inside I think, the Chateau LTE has had a new refresh in 2023 and it now sports a new Modem (FG621-EA)

There are already a few new Mikrotik devices that use that new CAT6 modem (I have deployed a few of the SXT ones with that radio) and I also tried putting a MTN fixed LTE sim in, and initially it worked well for a few hours and then it was blocked.

I think the reason why the original LTE6 Mikrotik's weren't allowed (Modem : R11e) was because they could not do CA with band 1 + 3 which is where you get some of the best speeds on MTN's network.
Which is probably why the Chateau LTE12 as approved since it can do CA on those bands (It even supports 3CA with band 1 + 3 + 8) which MTN can do.

@Afrigirl If you ask MTN to specifically test any new Mikrotik with a FG621-EA modem and they are happy they will instantly be able to add like 4 more devices to the approved devices list.
Like I said, it's a new CAT6 modem that supports B1+B3 aggregation

Many users like myself want to install LTE as a backup WAN, I don't want to buy some consumer grade router with built in WiFi or crappy firmware (or inferior antennas that require me to add external antennas)

 

[PJJansen]

All CAT6> routers should be allowed, not sure why it needs to a specific model.

CAT6 simply means 2 CA, it doesn't mean the carrier has access to those bands that the modem can do 2CA on.
Which is why I suspect the old R11e Mikrotik modem was not allowed.

 

[Peon]

I highly doubt it.
Regardless of the packaging (Chateau, SXT, WAP) the restriction will be on the modem used on the inside I think, the Chateau LTE has had a new refresh in 2023 and it now sports a new Modem (FG621-EA)

There are already a few new Mikrotik devices that use that new CAT6 modem (I have deployed a few of the SXT ones with that radio) and I also tried putting a MTN fixed LTE sim in, and initially it worked well for a few hours and then it was blocked.

I think the reason why the original LTE6 Mikrotik's weren't allowed (Modem : R11e) was because they could not do CA with band 1 + 3 which is where you get some of the best speeds on MTN's network.
Which is probably why the Chateau LTE12 as approved since it can do CA on those bands (It even supports 3CA with band 1 + 3 + 8) which MTN can do.

@Afrigirl If you ask MTN to specifically test any new Mikrotik with a FG621-EA modem and they are happy they will instantly be able to add like 4 more devices to the approved devices list.
Like I said, it's a new CAT6 modem that supports B1+B3 aggregation

Many users like myself want to install LTE as a backup WAN, I don't want to buy some consumer grade router with built in WiFi or crappy firmware (or inferior antennas that require me to add external antennas)

But to get MTN & Co to test and approve these routers is the challenge it seems.

 

[PJJansen]

But to get MTN & Co to test and approve these routers is the challenge it seems.

It appears so...
I don't even think they do any "rigorous testing" with the modems, I think it's simply a case of:
Can it do at least 2CA on the bands MTN has available (There might be a requirement that it must be able to 2CA on any of the bands MTN has available 1+3, 1+8 etc I don't know?)

 

[deweyzeph]

Many users like myself want to install LTE as a backup WAN, I don't want to buy some consumer grade router with built in WiFi or crappy firmware (or inferior antennas that require me to add external antennas)

I've got a few Huawei B618's with Afrihost Fixed LTE sims as backup connections on sites with a main fibre connection and I just switch the WIFI radios off on them and forget about them. I honestly don't think it makes any difference whether the router is consumer grade or not. It just has to sit there and provide an alternative connection, the primary router that sits behind it does all the work.

I'm a big fan of external antennas by the way. I've yet to come across a situation where they don't improve throughput or latency dramatically, even if the internal antennas are perfectly adequate.

 

[PJJansen]

even if the internal antennas are perfectly adequate.

I've got a few Huawei B618's with Afrihost Fixed LTE sims as backup connections on sites with a main fibre connection

Well if you have fibre as the main connection your sites are probably located in an urban environment with plenty of cell towers close by, so I would expect nothing less, I have mostly remote sites with local WISP' providing the primary link and then I use LTE as a backup to the WISP's

I've yet to come across a situation where they don't improve throughput or latency dramatically

I have, I can't remember exactly how long I tried to extend my antenna cable, I will confess it was long because I had to get out of a server room and to a decent-ish spot on the roof of the building where the closest pole was mounted.

I am also sure if you have to go out and buy a new B618 + high gain external antenna it will be more costly than a SXT LTE6 or LHG LTE6, the only advantage the B618 has it that is a CAT11 modem, but you are probably going to run into tower congestion issues before you will be able to realize those faster speeds.

 

[ajax]

I have, I can't remember exactly how long I tried to extend my antenna cable, I will confess it was long because I had to get out of a server room and to a decent-ish spot on the roof of the building where the closest pole was mounted.

Cable losses definitely a factor.
A friend of mine lives in a ditch on a farm outside of town. The MTN provided antenna (Poynting), B525, and two coax cables did a decent job. But he had about 10 meters of cable extension running into his attic to the where the router is. The cable losses at LTE frequencies came to about 0.5 dB per meter. So we moved the router to the pole with POE, ditched the cable extension and his signal and throughput improved drastically.

 

[deweyzeph]

Cable losses definitely a factor.
A friend of mine lives in a ditch on a farm outside of town. The MTN provided antenna (Poynting), B525, and two coax cables did a decent job. But he had about 10 meters of cable extension running into his attic to the where the router is. The cable losses at LTE frequencies came to about 0.5 dB per meter. So we moved the router to the pole with POE, ditched the cable extension and his signal and throughput improved drastically.

This is the right way to do it. Get the LTE router as close as possible to the external antenna. There is also an issue with voltage drop with 12v power supplies over long distances so if possible you also need to get the 230v mains supply as close as possible to the router as well to minimise the length of the 12v cable.