Emergency calls only

Besides the downtime with the mobile network these past few days There has been recurrent periods where I the network goes offline and I cannot make or receive any calls. The service says "ernergency calls only". This is so frustrating as I cannot go without outgoing and ingoing calls. I've never had this problem before and no one can help with it. Luckily I have a cell c router that helps me with Internet but telkom is really unfair.