By Andre Eksteen, Senior Product Manager – FTTB at Vox

While niche internet service providers (ISPs) play a crucial role in bringing connectivity to underserved areas, they are often held back by the huge capital investment requirements. In response, Vox, one of South Africa’s leading internet and communications companies, has launched a partner programme that allows ISPs to benefit from our extensive network infrastructure, peering agreements, technical expertise, and more – while they can focus on delivering exceptional service to their customers.

These ISPs deliver reliable broadband and voice services in areas that larger providers often overlook. However, they lack the economies of scale, sizable infrastructure investments, and long-standing vendor relationships with vendors – challenges that create high barriers to entry for newcomers and mid-tier players alike.

ISPs have to source high quality network equipment as well as Business Support Systems (BSS) and Operations Support Systems (OSS) at competitive prices, and build a skilled technical team to manage complex networks.

They also have to deal with high interconnect costs, and negotiate peering and caching agreements with technology majors such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Netflix; some of these ecosystem partners demand minimum capacity thresholds, making it economically unviable for ISPs not serving large customer bases.

These ISPs face significant hurdles in winning deals. Coverage gaps, limited network availability, and restricted access to premium networks put them at a disadvantage. On top of that, customers now expect a complete solution: multiple access technologies like fibre, wireless, and satellite, integrated with voice and PBX functionality, and delivered with speed.

Meeting these demands is not just challenging, it’s often impossible for niche players, which is why competing, let alone thriving, in this market remains such a struggle.

 

Expand without the heavy lifting

Vox Partner Programme

In an effort to address these challenges, Vox’s new Partner Programme will allow ISPs to leverage the company’s extensive experience in building and managing network infrastructure, delivering broadband and voice services to hundreds of thousands of customers countrywide; and technical and commercial partnerships with a wide array of access providers.

The Partner Programme provides the following benefits to small and mid-sized ISPs:

  • Seamless integration with flexible topologies: In order to ensure minimum disruption, Vox adapts to the ISPs setup, allowing them to choose from a range of options through which to connect their network, including point-to-point, ring or mesh configurations.
  • Premium infrastructure and expertise: ISPs gain cost-effective access to carrier-grade routers, switches, and skilled technicians – all without having to overpay for scale that they don’t need, and leaving the service provider with the task of customer acquisition and service excellence.
  • Ecosystem partnerships: ISPs can leverage Vox’s commercial agreements to get unmatched coverage across 10 fibre-to-the-business (FTTB) networks, 18 fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks, and 6 wireless-to-the-business (WTTB) networks. They can also bypass daunting minimum requirements and secure peering and caching with global leaders such as Google and Netflix at volumes that make sense for a connectivity provider of their size.
  • Tailored services: Modular and scalable offerings, from wholesale bandwidth to advanced voice solutions and beyond, mean that Vox gives ISPs the flexibility to grow at their own pace, while providing customers with low-latency, high-uptime performance.

 

Our new partner programme is tailored specifically for emerging and mid-sized ISPs that are ready to expand without the heavy lifting. The high fixed costs, building and maintaining complex networks, upstream relationships, and more are taken care of, leaving ISPs to focus on their unique selling proposition. This is not just about scale, but about enabling smart, sustainable growth that ISPs can tap into.

Become a Vox Partner and unlock new opportunities. ISPs need an ECS Licence, billing and network management systems, Teraco presence, CPE installation capability, and first-line support. For national and international core network capacity, use your own infrastructure or leverage Vox’s world-class backbone to deliver exceptional service.

Ready to supercharge your network? Visit our Partner Programme page today.

 

FAQs

What is the Vox Partner Programme for ISPs?

It’s a partner offering that allows small and mid-sized ISPs to use Vox’s network, peering agreements, equipment and operational expertise to scale services without needing large capital investments.

Who is eligible to join the programme?

Emerging and mid-sized ISPs in South Africa with basic operational capabilities (ECS licence, billing and network management systems, CPE installation and first-line support) are the intended participants.

Can I use my own core network or must I use Vox’s backbone?

You can use your own national/international core capacity or opt to leverage Vox’s world-class backbone; the programme supports both models.

How does Vox help with peering and caching with platforms like Google and Netflix?

Vox’s commercial agreements and peering relationships allow partner ISPs to access caching and peering at volumes that make sense for smaller providers, removing minimum-capacity barriers.

What services can partners resell or access?

Modular options include wholesale bandwidth, advanced voice/PBX solutions, routing and switching, and multi-access topologies (FTTB, FTTH, WTTB).

Will I need to change my existing topology to join?

No, Vox adapts to your setup and supports point-to-point, ring or mesh connections to minimise disruption.

Are there pricing or contract minimums?

Commercial terms vary by partner needs and service selection. Speak to Vox for a tailored quote and contract options aligned to your growth strategy.