MTN fixed LTE allowed routers

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.
You see this is where I am going when I say we want the more "Commercial" offerings, with some of the Mikrotik's they can be powered with active PoE or passive PoE with 18-57V, all the cost and effort involved in getting 220V closer to have a shorter run of 12V when you can just push 48V with a simple ethernet cable and call it a day.

Not to mention depending on your router you could then even power cycle your modem if you needed to if it's getting power from the router which could be handy.

Some other cool features on the SXT LTE that I quite like is that not only do you have PoE in you also have 1 PoE out on there, very handy if you have a small site that has say one IP camera at a gate.
On the SXT LTE you also have 2 simcard slots, so you could also theoretically have a failover sim which could be handy (I have not tested that before though)
 
You see this is where I am going when I say we want the more "Commercial" offerings, with some of the Mikrotik's they can be powered with active PoE or passive PoE with 18-57V, all the cost and effort involved in getting 220V closer to have a shorter run of 12V when you can just push 48V with a simple ethernet cable and call it a day.

Not to mention depending on your router you could then even power cycle your modem if you needed to if it's getting power from the router which could be handy.

Some other cool features on the SXT LTE that I quite like is that not only do you have PoE in you also have 1 PoE out on there, very handy if you have a small site that has say one IP camera at a gate.
On the SXT LTE you also have 2 simcard slots, so you could also theoretically have a failover sim which could be handy (I have not tested that before though)
Music to my ears. MTN can you hear the music as well?
 
Music to my ears. MTN can you hear the music as well?
I am carefully optimistic that all the FG621-EA based Mikrotik's would be approved if they are tested for simply 2 reasons:
- It supports CA with the bands that MTN have (1+3 1+8) even 41+41 but I don't think MTN does CA there (Seems like @cavedog is the resident expert?)
- Given that the Mikrotik LTE12 Chatau was approved it definitely points to MTN being open to working with Mikrotik devices on their network.

I also see @AfriNatic adding a lot of valuable LTE info in other threads so I want to tag him in here, can you please request from MTN to test any of the Mikrotik FG621-EA based modems?
Here is a full list:

L41G-2axD&FG621-EA
D53G-5HacD2HnD-TC&FG621-EA
LHGGR&FG621-EA
SXTR&FG621-EA

Just look at all those devices that could easily make the list with one test :)
 
I am carefully optimistic that all the FG621-EA based Mikrotik's would be approved if they are tested for simply 2 reasons:
- It supports CA with the bands that MTN have (1+3 1+8) even 41+41 but I don't think MTN does CA there (Seems like @cavedog is the resident expert?)
- Given that the Mikrotik LTE12 Chatau was approved it definitely points to MTN being open to working with Mikrotik devices on their network.

I also see @AfriNatic adding a lot of valuable LTE info in other threads so I want to tag him in here, can you please request from MTN to test any of the Mikrotik FG621-EA based modems?
Here is a full list:

L41G-2axD&FG621-EA
D53G-5HacD2HnD-TC&FG621-EA
LHGGR&FG621-EA
SXTR&FG621-EA

Just look at all those devices that could easily make the list with one test :)
I agreel. @AfriNatic, I think Afrihost has enough clout to take this up with MTN?
 
I have tested both the MTN Fixed-LTE and Telkom Fixed-LTE from Afrihost on the B618, and I ended up using the Telkom sim because the speed was always better than MTN and they don't lock it down to a tower.
 
I have tested both the MTN Fixed-LTE and Telkom Fixed-LTE from Afrihost on the B618, and I ended up using the Telkom sim because the speed was always better than MTN and they don't lock it down to a tower.
Think MTN's popularity is working against it here.
They probably oversubscribed on some sites, while Telkom has spare capacity available.
 
The request may take months. First, we need to get the device, test it, and complete the form from MTN for approval.
Well as long as we can start the process, heck, I can even borrow you guys one of those devices if it means we can get this done quicker :P
 
Hi guys.
Can anyone tell me, is the ZTE MF296C approved for MTN Fixed LTE?
 
I have tested both the MTN Fixed-LTE and Telkom Fixed-LTE from Afrihost on the B618, and I ended up using the Telkom sim because the speed was always better than MTN and they don't lock it down to a tower.
I have tested an MTN sim in a lowish end phone at midnight and got up to 120mbit. I put that same sim in a B618s-65d and barely got 55Mbit trying every band and combination. I'm almost certain it's because B618 does not support B41. B618 is definitely more ideal for Telkom.
 
I have tested an MTN sim in a lowish end phone at midnight and got up to 120mbit. I put that same sim in a B618s-65d and barely got 55Mbit trying every band and combination. I'm almost certain it's because B618 does not support B41. B618 is definitely more ideal for Telkom.
The 65d is specifically for Telkom.
You'll need the 22d to get the best out of MTN/Vodacom.
 
I have tested an MTN sim in a lowish end phone at midnight and got up to 120mbit. I put that same sim in a B618s-65d and barely got 55Mbit trying every band and combination. I'm almost certain it's because B618 does not support B41. B618 is definitely more ideal for Telkom.

I think with the Telkom I get about 50. The MTN sim was tested in Mosselbay where the MTN network is not too great where I stay during holidays.
 
It appears that there has been no progress made with including more secure router brands/models with MTN; specifically, the FG621-EA equipped MikroTik devices. Does anyone know if MTNs approval for the Chateau LTE12 is for the RBD53G-5HacD2HnD-TC&EG12-EA model only or is it the 2025 model (D53G-5HacD2HnD-TC&EG120K-EA) included?

I find it quite shocking that most ISPs limit router choices to brands and models rife with security vulnerabilities including suspected ('politically enforced') backdoors, etc.
 
It appears that there has been no progress made with including more secure router brands/models with MTN; specifically, the FG621-EA equipped MikroTik devices. Does anyone know if MTNs approval for the Chateau LTE12 is for the RBD53G-5HacD2HnD-TC&EG12-EA model only or is it the 2025 model (D53G-5HacD2HnD-TC&EG120K-EA) included?

I find it quite shocking that most ISPs limit router choices to brands and models rife with security vulnerabilities including suspected ('politically enforced') backdoors, etc.

Most of these approved routers are such dumbed down rubbish routers (apart from the Mikrotik) that inevitably you have to put them in front of a much more powerful router if you want even the most modest of advanced functionality (like VLAN support, multiple SSIDs, etc).
 
I understand their logic with 'approved routers' but this should be a baseline "low spec" recommendation (routers which can connect to their preferred bands or have alternates, and are atleast 4g / 5g capable)
Expensive routers like the Chateau is a no-brainer that it should work, but yet these dimwits don't see it that way.
 
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