MTN fixed lte question

GTIsean

GTIsean

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Hi guys

Sorry to ask what might be a stupid question but I need some assistance here please. I have been and MTN subscriber for a few years now and I require some additional data as im working from home permanently now. Axxess is offering 30 gb day and 30 gb night for R200pm.

Thing is though, my house falls literally one street out of fixed lte coverage of the tower closest to my house (1km) but this is where my question gets tricky. I complained to MTN during my last data contract, as I was receiving like 1mbps, and they came and installed a B525 router and two massive antennas on my roof that would basically give me range as if I was standing right next to the tower. ,(as explained by MTN). I get signal from that base station only.

I now get around 70mbps with a normal data sim but this is my actual question. Will that power signal booster allow me to get that Fixed LTE sim card and link it to that tower the signal booster is linked to now ? Will the signal booster Bridge the gap between me being just out of the fixed lte reach and basically tell the router that we are right next to the tower ? I have a Telkom fixed LTE month to month thing from axxess but I prefer MTN's package. Axxess have said it might just work but of course they cannot guarantee it. Says I need to get some expert advice but they don't have a problem with me trying it to see if it will work

Can someone pls assist me?
 
I assume it's a month to month contract, right?

If so best to test it out yourself.
 
The cheapest 30+30GB bundle costs R199. Maybe you could order a SIM card from Axxess or Afrihost (better option as you can get online support from them over here) and test the service before upgrading to a bigger package. You can cancel the SIM if you are not happy with the performance.

I think the performance should be similar to a prepaid data bundle but this might not always be true.
 
Last edited:
I am over 1.5km outside of the MTN fixed LTE coverage area. I installed an OMNI directional antenna to the side of the house, and tried an Afrihost fixed MTN LTE. To my surprise it works really well. These are the speeds I get consistently.



You have an aligned directional antenna and already have a compatible router, at worst you will lose a few hundred bucks.
 
Hi All

Thank you for the quick replies, I am grateful to everyone. I feel like I am going to give it a try. I wont say that i am unhappy with Telkom as i get around 50mbps (give or take a few) but MTN's consistency is what I need as I am in the audit environment and working with client data all the time and our audit program cannot stand packet loss and dips in speed.

Sorry to ask guys but what is an Omni-Directional antenna ?

Lets say i get this to work, how do i tell MTN that I want the sim card to be geo-locked to the tower that my Huawei B525 is connected to now?

My questions must be rather stupid compared to the others i see here.
 
Jake45 said:
The cheapest 30+30GB bundle costs R199. Maybe you could order a SIM card from Axxess or Afrihost (better option as you can get online support from them over here) and test the service before upgrading to a bigger package. You can cancel the SIM if you are not happy with the performance.

I think the performance should be similar to a prepaid data bundle but this might not always be true.
Click to expand...



Hi there. Just to confirm, would you recommend Afrihost over Axxess? I am just nervous that if I ask for support, that they say well i should have known that I was out of the service area but suppose they will at least attempt to assist me?

Thanks for the feedback.
 
GTVsean said:
Hi All

Thank you for the quick replies, I am grateful to everyone. I feel like I am going to give it a try. I wont say that i am unhappy with Telkom as i get around 50mbps (give or take a few) but MTN's consistency is what I need as I am in the audit environment and working with client data all the time and our audit program cannot stand packet loss and dips in speed.

Sorry to ask guys but what is an Omni-Directional antenna ?
Click to expand...

My layman's understanding is an OMNI directional antenna does not have to be aligned to (pointed at) a specific tower, it has 360 degree improvement in signal strength. however, It will not offer as much benefit as a directional antenna. I only chose an OMNI directional antenna as I didn't want the hassle of having to align the antenna with the tower.

GTVsean said:
Lets say i get this to work, how do i tell MTN that I want the sim card to be geo-locked to the tower that my Huawei B525 is connected to now?

My questions must be rather stupid compared to the others i see here.
Click to expand...

I went with Afrihost over Axess as they had a better customer service reputation at the time. At the time of booking Afrihost told me I have to specify the address where the service will be used (it does not have to be your address), this then locks the SIM to the tower nearest that address; so just pick an address that is close to the tower you are connected to.

Edit: I never mentioned to Afrihost I was out of the coverage area. I can't answer how helpful they will be if you mention it to them.
 
rkcj said:
My layman's understanding is an OMNI directional antenna does not have to be aligned to (pointed at) a specific tower, it has 360 degree improvement in signal strength. however, It will not offer as much benefit as a directional antenna. I only chose an OMNI directional antenna as I didn't want the hassle of having to align the antenna with the tower.



I went with Afrihost over Axess as they had a better customer service reputation at the time. At the time of booking Afrihost told me I have to specify the address where the service will be used (it does not have to be your address), this then locks the SIM to the tower nearest that address; so just pick an address that is close to the tower you are connected to.

Edit: I never mentioned to Afrihost I was out of the coverage area. I can't answer how helpful they will be if you mention it to them.
Click to expand...

Brilliant. My biggest concern was that i would need to give my address and then they turn around and say well you aren't covered. I will be ordering my sim card today!

Appreciate the feedback.
 
@GTVsean: Afrihost seems to offer the best package management services and you can easily make contact with them on MyBB. Data topups are loaded instantly, bandwidth usage figures are always accurate, new data loads properly, rollover works correctly. They even have a special support section on MyBB. These services may not work correctly with several of the other ISPs that sell the same packages.

I have been using the 30+30GB package for 8 or 9 months and it is one of the best LTE products available at the moment. I previously used Rain until their service deteriorated badly.
 
Good afternoon guys

Just thought it would be right to report back, as everyone was so willing to help.

I must admit that I went through Axxess as I have an existing profile with them, although I was going to take it through Afrihost.

I got the sim on Friday afternoon and put it into my router. Went through the provisioning process without any trouble and created the correct APN as per Axxess. Sim got signal and has been working well for me. Did a speed test and the results are attached.
Speed test.png

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I am grateful.

Enjoy your Sunday further!
 
rkcj said:
I am over 1.5km outside of the MTN fixed LTE coverage area. I installed an OMNI directional antenna to the side of the house, and tried an Afrihost fixed MTN LTE. To my surprise it works really well. These are the speeds I get consistently.



You have an aligned directional antenna and already have a compatible router, at worst you will lose a few hundred bucks.
Click to expand...
This is rather late, but do you mind letting me know which antenna you purchased?
 
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