Setting Up Hotspot Billing with AroFi and MikroTik

Overview

This course provides a comprehensive walkthrough on launching a standalone, automated Wi-Fi hotspot business using AroFi and MikroTik routers. Starting with an overview of the AroFi console, learners will explore dashboard analytics, sales channels, wallet balance tracking, agent management, and multi-device ticketing. The tutorial then demonstrates the complete configuration pipeline. Viewers learn how to register an AroFi business workspace, add MikroTik hardware, download and configure WinBox, and execute automated deployment scripts. Finally, the lesson covers creating custom bandwidth and duration-limited internet packages, enrolling offline sales agents, and generating printable voucher sheets with QR codes.

Overview of the AroFi Console

00:00

Introduction to the AroFi platform dashboard, highlighting real-time sales reporting, active user analytics, connected routers, wallet balance management, and Smart TV binding capabilities.

• View gross sales, net earnings, active user sessions, and router status in real-time.
• Instant mobile money wallet withdrawals without manual approval delays.
• Support for standard user vouchers, multi-device plans, and TV MAC address binding.

AroFi Website & Pricing Tiers

01:59

Navigating to arofi.net and evaluating the Starter, Pro, and Enterprise subscription tiers, along with gateway transaction fees and features.

• Starter plan has no upfront fee, with an 8% gateway fee and 2% voucher fee.
• Pro plan costs UGX 20,000/month with reduced 4% gateway fees and free voucher printing.
• Platform supports mobile money integrations across regional providers like MTN and Airtel.

Creating a Business Workspace

03:33

Step-by-step account onboarding process, choosing between Wi-Fi Business Owner and Sales Partner roles, configuring workspace credentials, and reviewing service terms.

• Select 'WiFi Business Owner' to operate your own hotspot network.
• Specify business name, automated portal slug, and contact credentials.
• Acknowledge terms of service and platform privacy policy to initialize the workspace.

Registering a MikroTik Router in AroFi

06:12

Entering router details into the console, including SSID naming, ISP provider tagging, location markers, and anti-tethering protection.

• Define the broadcast SSID that clients will see when discovering the Wi-Fi network.
• Assign site managers and location details for centralized multi-site management.
• Enable TTL Anti-Tethering to prevent clients from sharing single subscriptions via mobile hotspots.

Generating Deployment Scripts & Downloading WinBox

07:55

Accessing the onboarding and remote access scripts generated by AroFi, and downloading the MikroTik WinBox utility from the official vendor website.

• AroFi provides two scripts: Script 1 for Hotspot/RADIUS configuration and Script 2 for Remote Access.
• Download the compatible WinBox version (64-bit/32-bit) directly from mikrotik.com.
• WinBox connects directly to RouterOS via MAC address or local IP.

Running Onboarding Scripts via WinBox

10:05

Connecting to the MikroTik router using WinBox, opening the terminal, and applying the onboarding script to establish hotspot parameters and RADIUS configuration.

• Log into RouterOS using default or assigned administrator credentials.
• Open a New Terminal window in WinBox to run configuration commands.
• Monitor system log output to confirm successful script execution and service creation.

/ip hotspot setup
/radius add

Configuring Remote Access Scripts

12:15

Deploying the secondary remote management script to maintain cloud-managed remote connectivity and secure tunneling back to the AroFi console.

• Paste the remote management script into the WinBox terminal to initiate the remote tunnel.
• Enables remote WinBox connectivity, reboot commands, and troubleshooting even from external networks.
• Retrieve lost scripts anytime from the Router actions menu in AroFi.

Creating Internet Packages and Rate Limits

12:48

Designing tailored tariff plans for single-device access, shared family multi-device bundles, and dedicated Smart TV streaming subscriptions.

• Define time durations (minutes, hours, days, weeks) and pricing per package.
• Configure data limits (MB/GB) and optional upload/download bandwidth caps.
• Create dedicated Smart TV packages designed for direct MAC binding without browser login.

Registering Reseller Agents

15:17

Enrolling sales agents to distribute physical or digital vouchers in the field, with custom commission structures and dedicated agent portal accounts.

• Assign an agent code, phone number, and individual login email.
• Set custom percentage commissions for sales performance tracking.
• Agents get dedicated access to collect cash and activate customer devices.

Generating and Printing Voucher Batches

16:08

Issuing bulk voucher codes, defining code complexity and expiration schedules, and exporting printable PDF sheets complete with QR codes.

• Specify voucher quantity, format (uppercase, lowercase, numbers), and code character length.
• Assign voucher batches directly to specific reseller agents or the primary owner.
• Export and print sheets containing scannable QR codes for seamless one-tap login.

Session Monitoring and Final Overview

17:30

Reviewing active customer sessions, auditing transactions, monitoring mobile money wallet settlements, and accessing support resources.

• Inspect active sessions to observe bandwidth consumption and session durations.
• Audit incoming revenues and execute payouts straight to registered SIM lines.
• Access documentation and raise support tickets directly inside the AroFi portal.