SMS's not coming through - MTN

[johnMO]

Here's my blog post that summarises the issue and the solution on MTN. https://johnoscomputertips.blogspot.com/2025/05/can-send-gsmsms-but-cant-receive-on-mtn.html

 

[corvusza]

I signed up just for this post.
Thanks for the information johnostrowick, but I've gone through those steps.
Just got off the phone and asked the questions you left at the bottom of your article and was pushed to use their USSD codes yet again.

My number gets barring activated every few hours.
I've done literally everything possible to fix the issue, nothing except using the USSD codes to resume my services work.
I don't get OTP's, not receiving phone calls unless I've either phoned the person first, or they are in my contacts.

I've factory formatted, got the device flashed to original firmware, new phone, different phones.
Your comments to ask these questions though:
```
Contact MTN support and ask them to:

Check if SMS reception is fully provisioned.

Confirm the line is fully active on SORB system (MTN backend).

Request clearing of any provisioning/barring blocks.
```

I doubt they are even checking when I call, or must take a few moments to look this information up on the system, MTN agents don't even skip a heart beat and say no your sim card is fine and I'm back to
#33*0000# barring service outgoing calls disabled
#35*0000# barring service incoming calls disabled
#33*0000*16# barring service outgoing sms disabled
#35*0000*16# barring incoming sms disabled
These are most effective

But the agents prefer the easier option of the regular #002# and *#33#

I've logged tech calls, been to different stores for help, sim swap, etc.

Honest to God, I wish I had my automatic phone recording service at the time, I was told that MTN has a feature on their sim cards that when your sim card connects to a new network by moving from one area to another to quickly it gets barring activated as a new anti-hijacking feature for stolen phones!

Is there anyone out there experiencing barring issues and, in my case, when OTP messages do come in, why would they always come from the same number?

 

[johnMO]

sorry to hear, that sounds more extreme than my case. In my case i went to them in person at the 14th ave HQ. Call centres defintitely not helpful.