As the saying (well, TikTok joke!) goes: ‘No matter where you are, Roodepoort is always far…’
But hang on: IS it, though?
Is Roodepoort maybe one of Gauteng’s best-kept secrets, and the joke was made up by Roodepoort residents themselves, to keep others out?
Always ready to put on our detective hats, Vox decided to take a look at life in Roodepoort, and – tremendously important – its connectivity options.
Gateway to the West Rand
According to the ‘Roodepoort Northsider’, a local community paper, Roodepoort is a city in the Greater Johannesburg area that was previously an independent municipality, and then became part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in the late 1990s, along with Randburg and Sandton.
And so, although it’s traditionally been regarded as being part of the West Rand, it’s not actually part of its official District Municipality. But you could think of it as being the gateway to the West Rand, as it’s bordered by Krugersdorp to the west (as well as Cosmo City to the north, Randburg to the east and Soweto to the south).
Roodepoort offers a mix of urban convenience – think Clear Water Mall, Blueberry Square Shopping Centre, Westgate Mall and Hillfox Value Centre – and green open spaces. The truly beautiful Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens and Kloofendal Nature Reserve both fall within its borders, while Florida Lake offers green grounds to relax and picnic in, as well as fishing, canoeing, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, putt-putt and braai areas, an adventure park for the kids and a nearby bird sanctuary for bird watching.
The Roodepoort Civic Theatre has been proudly hosting local and international shows and artists, as well as supporting local children’s theatre and drama, since 1980. The area is also known for offering strong schooling options, which contributes to its reputation as a desirable place for families who value education and community life. Overall, it’s close enough to the economic hubs of Johannesburg and nearby Centurion to be convenient, but it also has a quieter, suburban feel that attracts families, professionals and retirees.
Roodepoort Connectivity: How to Choose?
If you’re considering living in Roodepoort, understanding Roodepoort connectivity is important. Here’s a practical look at the main internet options: Fibre to the home, fixed wireless and LTE: what they offer, and how to choose between them.
Fibre to the Home (FTTH): High Speed, Reliable, Future-Proof
Fibre to the Home Roodepoort installations have expanded significantly across Gauteng in recent years. Where available, Fibre to the Home offers the fastest, most reliable home internet, often with symmetrical upload and download speeds suitable for streaming, remote work, cloud backups and gaming.
Pros:
- Very high speeds and low latency
- Stable performance for multiple users and heavy usage
- Good for home offices and business use
Cons:
- Availability varies by suburb and street; not every neighbourhood has Fibre yet
- Installation lead times and provider choices depend on rollout in your area
Vox Kiwi Home Wireless: A Strong Alternative
Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is a fixed wireless option from Vox which uses a dedicated antenna on your roof or a pole to connect to a nearby tower. In this way, it delivers Fibre-like, uncapped, unshaped fixed wireless internet, with rapid installation, at your home. No digging and therefore no waiting is required.
It’s a practical option in parts of Roodepoort where Fibre hasn’t been deployed yet. Modern fixed wireless packages can deliver solid speeds with competitive reliability, which is especially useful for households that need better performance than mobile data but don’t have Fibre infrastructure yet.
Pros:
- Faster rollout and simpler installation in un-Fibred suburbs
- Excellent performance for everyday use and streaming
Cons:
- Performance can depend on line-of-sight and local congestion
- Speeds and latency are generally less consistent than fibre
LTE (mobile broadband): Flexible and Widely Available
LTE provides wide coverage across Roodepoort and is ideal for mobile devices, backups or short-term connections. LTE is increasingly used as a primary connection by households with modest usage needs or as a failover for home networks.
Pros:
- Readily available across most parts of Roodepoort
- Easy setup with a SIM-based router or mobile hotspot
Cons:
- Data caps and higher cost per GigaByte on some plans
- Higher contention during peak hours; less consistent for heavy multi-user homes
How to Choose the Right Roodepoort Internet Option
Just go onto the Vox home page (www.vox.co.za) and enter your desired address to see if Home Fibre is available in the particular area, and what packages are available.
- Check availability first: see if Fibre to the Home services are offered at your exact address. If Fibre to the Home is available, it’s generally the best long-term choice.
- Match speed to your household: 25 to 50 Mbps is fine for average families; 100 Mbps+ suits multiple heavy users, home offices and streaming in 4K.
- Consider reliability and uptime needs: Fibre is best; fixed wireless is a solid alternative; LTE is best as a backup or for mobile use.
Ready to Move In?
Our final conclusion is that well, maybe Roodepoort is a little bit far from some places, and maybe it’s even A LOT far from others. 😊 But with all the connectivity options a city-disguised-as-a municipality could ask for, well, you’d never know it!
And so, if you’re considering living in Roodepoort, the area’s shopping centres, parks and schools make it appealing, while Roodepoort’s connectivity options are more than able to match modern home and work needs. Check the Fibre availability at your address, compare fixed wireless and LTE packages, and choose the plan that ultimately suits your household’s speed and reliability needs.
So go on. If your heart is yearning for some Roodepoort real estate, why not take a look, and be content that the connectivity options available can always make it feel close to just about anywhere!
FAQs
What internet options are available in Roodepoort?
Fibre to the home, fixed wireless and LTE/mobile broadband are the main options across Roodepoort.
Is Fibre widely available in Roodepoort?
Fibre availability is expanding, but coverage still depends on the specific suburb and street, and so it’s best to check your options available on our website: https://www.vox.co.za/
Which is faster: Fibre, fixed wireless or LTE?
Fibre typically offers the highest and most consistent speeds; fixed wireless and LTE can be fast but vary more with location and congestion.
Can I use LTE as a main connection?
Yes, LTE can serve as a primary connection for light to moderate use, or as a backup when fixed services fail.
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