Questions and answers
About selling WiFi on MikroTik and UniFi with M-Pesa. If yours is not here, ask us from your dashboard.
Routers
Which routers do you support?
MikroTik on RouterOS 7, and UniFi sites on a UniFi Network controller or UniFi OS console. We specialise in these two and nothing else, which is why the integration goes deep.
Does my router need a public IP address?
No. A MikroTik keeps an encrypted tunnel to us, so it works behind any NAT. A UniFi controller just needs to be reachable over HTTPS from the internet.
Can I add a router that is already selling WiFi?
Yes. We read what is already there, profiles, users, PPPoE secrets or UniFi voucher tiers, and bring it across. Nothing changes until you deploy the portal.
What happens when a router goes offline?
We notice within minutes, pause sales on that site so nobody pays for WiFi they cannot use, and text your support line. You get one more message when it is back.
Payments and payouts
Do I need my own paybill or till?
No. On the free plan customers pay into our till and we pay you out. On a paid plan you can connect your own paybill or till so sales land in your account directly.
How do you stop fake payment confirmations?
A callback alone credits nothing. Every payment is checked with M-Pesa and matched to our own record, and it is credited exactly once however many times the callback repeats.
What if someone pays and does not get online?
The payment is recorded with its receipt and retried automatically. If it still cannot be fulfilled it waits in your dashboard for you to approve or reject, and the customer is told by SMS that it is being handled.
When do payouts happen?
Once your balance passes the minimum shown on your billing page.
Your customers
Do customers need an app or an account?
No. They join your WiFi, the payment page opens by itself, they choose a bundle and enter their M-Pesa PIN.
Do they get a code?
On MikroTik, yes: it is shown on screen and sent by SMS. On UniFi the phone is let on directly, so there is nothing to type.
Can a TV or decoder use WiFi bought on a phone?
On MikroTik, yes. The customer attaches the device to the code they bought from the login page.
Why does the login page show a padlock?
We serve it over HTTPS with a trusted certificate and renew it for you, so phones, iPhones especially, open it without warnings.
SMS
Are SMS included?
SMS is billed per message from credits you buy by M-Pesa. If you already have a MobileSasa account you can connect it and use your own balance instead.
Can messages come from my business name?
Yes. Register a sender name, or use the one on your own MobileSasa account.
Which automatic messages are there?
Code ready, time nearly up, time up, unused code lapsing, and bill reminders for monthly subscribers. Each can be switched off except the code a customer paid for.
Pricing and account
Is there a setup fee or contract?
No. The free plan has no monthly fee; we keep a share of what you sell. Paid plans are a flat monthly fee with no share.
Can my staff have their own logins?
Yes. Invite them as admins, operators or viewers; each sees only what their role allows, and every change is logged.
How is my data protected?
Router passwords and payment keys are stored encrypted and used only at the moment we need them. Routers are managed over encrypted connections.