Tag: multiple devices

Fibre or Wireless for Business: When Your Real Estate Makes a Difference

Posted on by Vivienne Fouche

Vox has a business solution no matter where you’re based, because location matters. Whether your premises sit in a newly cabled business park or in an area where fibre isn’t yet available will determine the most practical, cost‑effective and resilient connectivity option. Vox offers both Business Fibre  and licensed Wireless for Business so your organisation can stay connected, wherever you are.

‘Location, location, location.’

It’s the mantra that estate agents everywhere live by, and it also works in the world of Business Connectivity – where your business is located can have significant implications for your Internet options.

Is your organisation situated in an area where Fibre Optic Cables are already laid – or at least in the planning stage? If so, sorting out excellent Internet Connectivity for your organisation is guaranteed, and you’ll be able to make use of the fantastic speed of Fibre to the Business (FTTB), with its clear benefits for all users.

But what if the neighbourhood doesn’t yet have FTTB on its radar?

That’s when you look to another phrase that starts with the letter ‘L’ – and find out how ‘Line-of-sight’ can also help with excellent Internet access, through Wireless for Business Connectivity, delivered by Microwave radio technology.

We take a look at the different features and benefits provided by both FTTB and Wireless Connectivity for organisations.

 

Business Fibre: A Premium Cabled Service

Internet Connectivity that’s provided by Fibre to the Business, or FTTB (as well as Fibre to the Home, FTTH) uses Fibre Optic cables, composed of strands of glass, to transmit Data at incredibly high speeds using light pulses sent through the glass Fibre. This means that Fibre Optic networks are capable of much greater speeds and bandwidth than the traditional copper-based ADSL lines.

 

Fibre to the Business

Fibre Optic solutions bring you the best available speed within the current Internet landscape – users can achieve incredible speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. They’re also highly reliable due to the smooth, constant flow of Data during transmission, while the steady signal, with increased bandwidth, means that even with multiple users, Fibre Optics can handle the load.

Overall, Fibre Optic Internet is generally regarded as being the pinnacle of Connectivity. However, it’s not the only option for businesses to consider today.

 

Not Just for the Office Kitchen

Microwave Internet – also known as Wireless – is a worthy alternative to FTTB, especially in areas where the Fibre Network Operators (FNOs) haven’t yet laid the required cabling infrastructure. It’s just as fast as Fibre, and more widely available.

Microwave signals provide a fixed wireless broadband connection through a high-capacity Microwave radio link, requiring arguably less infrastructure than Fibre Optics. A fixed Microwave signal delivers both voice and data traffic over long distances and to more remote locations and rural areas.

Wireless Microwave Connectivity requires power and a clear line of sight, with its access towers connected to Fibre lines. A device is pointed at a tower which services the area in which your business operates. While the last-mile connection may be wireless, the backhaul is provided by Fibre Optics.

 

Wireless for business
Image courtesy of: https://protowermaintenance.com/what-is-microwave-communication/

Vox Business Wireless, using licensed Microwave spectrum, is an excellent replacement for traditional fixed-line last-mile connections. With Vox, you can ensure that your business is always connected where Fibre connectivity is limited or not available, and the deployment is significantly quicker than with Fibre.

You can also choose to connect a Temporary Vox Wireless connection while you wait for your Fibre – our rapid Installation saves you time and gets your Internet operating at world-class standards. Vox Wireless can also be used as a redundancy option to Fibre, to ensure that your business is always connected.

 

Which Option is Right for Your Business?

Fibre to the Business is generally regarded as being the ‘standard bearer’ of Internet connectivity today. Often referred to as the ‘gold in the ground’, it opens a fantastic doorway to the business requirements of the digital age.

However, Vox’s Wireless for Business is an excellent alternative to Fibre to the Business, particularly when the Fibre Optic cabling infrastructure hasn’t yet been laid in your neighbourhood. One potential drawback is that, because the connection is delivered over the air, line-of-sight is needed between both points. This can make installation more difficult in certain locations – for example if your business premises is in a valley surrounded by hills.

A Microwave Internet link can also be used as an excellent backup solution to Fibre, because when a company isn’t reliant on only one technology, this allows for business continuity and resilience planning. If a fault should occur with a Fibre connection, the Microwave Internet solution isn’t likely to be experiencing the same type of failure: one solution runs through cabling while the other is air-based.

 

An Added Bonus: The Best of Both Worlds

The choice between FTTB and Wireless to the Business is essentially a win-win for our customers. But what if there was a reason NOT to make a choice? What about an option that provides the best of both worlds?

If downtime would be a catastrophe for your business, then check out our Active-Active offering and enjoy the best of both worlds – Vox is the first local ISP to offer this exciting new product!

Vox has always been able to incorporate both FTTB and Wireless to the Business into our business failover solutions, which are designed to keep your organisation’s Connectivity up and running even during challenging periods. And now, we’ve proudly gone one step further.

Our new Active-Active failover offering is a groundbreaking new option that no other local ISP is presenting. This option maximises the use of both a Business Fibre connection as well as a Wireless to the Business solution, to make sure that your organisation never loses connectivity.

system 3541577 1920 | Vox | Fibre or Wireless for Business: When Your Real Estate Makes a Difference

Our National Footprint

The great news is that Vox is able to offer viable solutions for your business, no matter where your organisation is located. Our innovative Connectivity solutions can be customised to the specific challenges of your business location and buildings, as well as your Internet speed requirements.

Our Wireless offerings range from 5Mbps up to 100Mbps, with alternatives in between. As for our Business Fibre solutions, our range can go up to 1Gbps, and we offer scalable options with tailored value-adds to suit your business needs – for example, state-of-the-art Wi-Fi connectivity and DDoS attack defences.

Our offerings criss-cross South Africa no matter where your business is situated. Contact us today for more information, because we’ve got the ‘Location, location, location’ philosophy sorted.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wireless as reliable as Fibre?
Wireless (licensed microwave) is highly reliable and carrier‑grade, especially when mounted on properly surveyed sites, but it usually requires line‑of‑sight. Dedicated Fibre offers uncontended bandwidth and typically the highest resilience for heavy, continuous workloads.

What speeds can I get with Vox Wireless?
Vox Wireless licensed microwave services are available from 5 Mbps up to 100 Mbps (symmetrical), offered as either broadband (shared) or dedicated (1:1) links.

Can Wireless be used as a failover to Fibre?
Yes. Wireless is commonly used as a temporary connection while waiting for Fibre or as a redundant/failover link to keep your business online during cable faults.

What is Active‑Active and do I need it?
Active‑Active uses both fibre and wireless concurrently to maximise availability. It’s recommended where downtime would be costly, for example within retail, call centres, data replication and payment processing environments.

How long does installation take?
Wireless installations are typically faster because they don’t require trenching; Fibre timelines depend on local build status and site readiness. Contact Vox for a site assessment and estimated lead time.

Are speeds symmetrical?
Yes. Vox offers symmetrical lines for both Fibre and Wireless where specified (important for uploads, cloud backups and VoIP).

Do Vox services include SLAs and business support?
Vox provides 24/7 business support. Premium and Dedicated services offer stronger SLAs and priority support; details are provided during quoting.

What if my site is in a valley or has obstructions?
If line‑of‑sight is an issue, Vox will recommend alternative options based on a site survey, for example a nearby rooftop relay, temporary wireless, fibre where available, or hybrid redundancy.

Vox and the Lions Group – A Case Study

Posted on by Stefan Pretorius

The Lions Group consists of three entities, namely the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the Lions Rugby Company, and EPS Management. Collectively, the three companies are the custodians of rugby in their region, from grassroots development all the way up to international interprovincial teams. While their primary focus is rugby, the Group has diversified its revenue streams to include various other activities, including concerts, sporting events, commercial rentals, and private functions and conferencing.

Pieter Burger, Manager Director: EPS, explains: “We have a passion for innovation and doing things differently, and consistent improvements in and around our facilities make them not only relevant, but also industry leaders in certain areas. This flexibility in our product offering, combined with innovation, is what distinguishes us from our competitors.”

 

The Business Challenge

During big games or concerts, stadiums face unique challenges due to their large, dense crowds, and one of these challenges involves providing connectivity to the highest standard.

Excellent connectivity is needed for broadcasting purposes, both within the stadium as well as to external broadcasting channels; financial transactions, including the sales of food and beverages and retail items; and Wi-Fi connectivity for the fans, which is an imperative for any live entertainment experience.

“As with any large sports and entertainment stadium, technology plays an important role in customer experiences at the Emirates Airline Park (Ellis Park Stadium), the home of the Golden Lions rugby team,” notes Stefan Pretorius: Enterprise Key Account Manager at Vox.

“Through Vox’s use of innovative technology, we assist in providing both stadium employees and customers alike with positive experiences during high-profile events. The use of network optimisation techniques can help maintain a high-quality Wi-Fi connection for everyone, but it all starts with sufficient and optimal broadband infrastructure.”

“As part of the entertainment industry, it is critical for the Lions Group to know that innovative technology and leading connectivity are together able to enhance high performance, as well as the consumers’ experience and preferences,” adds Burger. “Connectivity access networks, and their reliable uptime, is key in our industry.”

 

465008034 8772678062797376 4077640001360117771 n | Vox | Vox and the Lions Group – A Case Study

 

The Business Solution

Pretorius clarifies that Vox is responsible for supplying all connectivity to Emirates Airline Park, as follows:

  • Two 1Gbps dedicated Business Fibre links;
  • One 200Mbps dedicated Business Fibre link to the practice stadium next door;
  • Firewalls; and
  • An SD-WAN Solution for load balancing.

 

“Vox is a strategic partner of the Lions Group,” says Burger, “and we have benefited from our existing partnership with them for some years now. One of these advantages is that, as our technology requirements progressively increase, so we turn to Vox to implement enhancements as required.

“Before signing up with Vox, our main concerns and challenges involved Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Connectivity and cloud solutions. Today, as our infrastructure partner, Vox provides excellent bandwidth and reliable uptime, and takes care of any required upgrades following a needs assessment and consultation. We also enjoy efficient support from Vox very quickly whenever required.”

 

Overall Experience with Vox

“We never have any concerns or issues with the implementation processes for our chosen solutions, which are always effectively handled by Vox engineers,” comments Burger. “Just like the Lions Group, we know that Vox has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and always strives to improve and enhance its service offering and effectiveness, and we admire and appreciate this shared synergy.

“We believe that Emirates Airline Park has the best bandwidth and reliability of any stadium in South Africa, as was displayed to such good effect during the Springboks versus New Zealand test in August 2024. Our relationship and overall experience with Vox is excellent – we could not ask for a better partner!”

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So, What’s the (Sweet) Deal with Vox Wireless Lite?

Posted on by Craig Blignaut

Vox Wireless: Just as fast as Fibre, and more widely available

 

What do Coca Cola and Vox Wireless to the Business (WTTB) each have in common? Besides being leading brands in their arenas, that is.

The answer is in the word Light. Or Lite.

Coca Cola gave the world Coke Light, for those who wanted the same original sweet taste but with zero sugar. Vox Fixed Wireless to the business (WTTB) gives you two options, including Vox Wireless Lite – because we also believe in providing a fantastic product, but with choices available for different requirements.

Wireless Lite is especially good for start-ups and SMEs. It’s also on promotion right now.

Let’s see how well it could work for your business.

 

A Quick Technology Outline

Fixed Wireless can deliver a Fibre-like experience if the service provider gets it right with regards to capacity and area coverage. This, of course, goes without saying at Vox.

Vox Fixed Wireless is a high-quality, high-speed Fixed Wireless connection, using Microwave technology that can be deployed around South Africa, to ensure that your business is always connected. It’s an excellent alternative when Fibre cables aren’t laid in your area, or as a redundancy option if your Fibre goes down. It’s also a fantastic solution if you need to be connected in a hurry and can’t wait weeks for your Fibre installation.

Coca Cola never officially reveals its recipes, but here at Vox we believe in being transparent, so let’s take a look at how WTTB works.

It’s pretty simple.

 

700x400 Wireless blog | Vox | So, What’s the (Sweet) Deal with Vox Wireless Lite?

 

  • A device is pointed at a tower, which services the area in which your business is situated.
  • The device provides a high-speed Internet connection using Microwave technology, whose access towers are served and connected to Fibre lines as the ‘backhaul’.
  • Because the station is close to and in view of the premises, a Fixed Wireless connection can deliver a very fast Internet experience with low latency.

 

Vox Wireless Lite

Vox Wireless Lite is one of two different Fixed Wireless offerings for businesses that we offer, with the other being Vox Wireless.

Vox Wireless Lite – Licensed is a more cost-effective service than Vox Wireless, without compromising on quality. This service is available as a Broadband Primary service but will also make an excellent Failover solution to cater for all your business needs.

We offer a Symmetrical service (same upload and download speeds) of 10 Mbps and 20Mbps, and an Asymmetrical service of 50Mbps and 100 Mbps.

Vox also offers Vox Wireless Lite – Unlicensed, in which different speed profiles are once again offered, but with this option, all speeds are Asymmetrical.

With Vox Wireless Lite, just like Coke Lite, we leave out one ingredient, so where the beverage is minus the sugar, we help you streamline your costs by leaving off the Voice offering that comes with Vox Wireless, which includes a Voice VLAN to streamline your VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication.

But don’t worry – if your business grows, you can add more ‘sugar’ later – it’s simple to change options.

 

Something for Every Business with Vox Fixed Wireless Options

The famous beverage company has a range of refreshing drinks available in several varieties and sizes to suit different lifestyle, and in the same way, Vox Wireless to the Business is able to cater to your different needs and speeds.

 

choice 2692466 1920 | Vox | So, What’s the (Sweet) Deal with Vox Wireless Lite?

All Vox Wireless packages include data and line rental, and speeds can range from 5Mbps to 1Gbps – the flexibility and choice of packages is a real value-add, allowing you to match your speeds to your business needs.

The main features and benefits of Fixed WTTB are as follows:

  • Quick to deploy in feasible areas: If your business has a remote site where no fixed-line connectivity is possible, Vox Fixed Wireless options are an ideal alternative. They are also generally quicker than Fibre to install.
  • Duplex Service enables you to transmit and receive data at the same time, giving you dual efficiency.
  • Managed Service 365/24/7 Support ensures that we’re there when your business needs us the most.
  • Scalable: It’s easy to upgrade your link to grow with your business.
  • Business continuity: Can be deployed as a primary or failover service to ensure you are always connected.

 

Depending on the area and requirement, Vox Wireless works with the following Wireless connectivity providers: Comsol, Easyweb, Kliq. MTN, Rapidnet, Tech5 and VO Connect.

 

Sweet Offerings to Refresh Your Business

Vox Wireless offers speeds comparable to Fibre, but is more widely available. With quick deployment and low latency, it’s geared to help your business stay connected. Whether you’re in the city centre or out in the country, Vox Wireless ensures your business stays connected, competitive, and ready to grow.

For high speeds and the most innovative, cutting-edge microwave technology on the market, you can’t go wrong with Fixed Wireless to the Business from Vox. Whether it’s Vox Wireless or Vox Wireless Lite, we’ve got you covered with great options.

And we think that’s a pretty sweet and refreshing deal.

 

artem beliaikin rNQ3TFuLkQU unsplash Coke | Vox | So, What’s the (Sweet) Deal with Vox Wireless Lite?

From Good to Great: Making the Most of Your M365

Posted on by Vivienne Fouche

Empowering you and your family across multiple devices

 

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

This sentence definitely goes down in history as one of those things people deeply regret saying later. And while it’s easy to predict things in retrospect – ‘Hindsight is 20/20 vision’, as the saying goes – it seems incredible to think that people once lived in a world without access to personal laptops and smartphones in their lives, which have now become such an integral part of our home functioning for work, homework, financial planning and operating, entertainment and simply staying in touch.

The installation of Microsoft 365 (‘M365’) onto your devices will upgrade this even further – this brilliant software can maximise your devices and create truly next-level experiences.

Let’s look at how you can go from good to great with Microsoft 365.

 

Always Better with M365

monique carrati ONn4OfAnxZY unsplash | Vox | From Good to Great: Making the Most of Your M365

“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” —Forrest Gump

But the great thing about Microsoft 365 is that you know exactly what you’re going to get (and it’s always a sweet deal). With Vox and Microsoft 365 for personal use, you can communicate, write, edit, do complex maths-based planning, share ideas, create presentations, and generally stay productive from anywhere, at any time.

Microsoft 365 Personal (for one individual) or Family (up to six people) will empower you and the rest of your family to stay productive from anywhere, at any time, across multiple devices. The subscription comes with 1TB of secure cloud storage space, advanced security features and innovative apps, all in one plan.

 

Features and Benefits

Some of the features and benefits include the following:

  • Microsoft 365 works on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets.
  • Applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote come with offline access and features that make your life easier.
  • Microsoft Defender provides advanced security for your personal data and devices.
  • Outlook gives you advert-free secure email.
  • Microsoft Editor provides advanced spelling, grammar and writing assistance.
  • Clipchamp video editor’s robust tools, including premium filters and effects, lets you create and edit videos easily, while AI-powered tools give you next-level productivity options.
  • Stay in touch with 60 minutes of Skype calling per month.
  • Create and manage databases for big or small projects with Access (PC only).
  • When you’re stuck, Microsoft 365 Family and Personal Subscribers have access to ongoing 24/7 technical support, via chat or email, with Microsoft-trained experts.

 

Making Your M365 Experience Better

Enable your life with M365’s multiple tools. Here are some tips to make your M365 experience even better.

brooke cagle g1Kr4Ozfoac unsplash | Vox | From Good to Great: Making the Most of Your M365

  • Organise Notes with OneNote: Microsoft’s OneNote is an app used for storing information and taking notes. OneNote notebooks allow you to store links, save photos and drawings and write with a stylus, keeping research notes in one convenient spot.
  • Recall Sent Messages: The next time you mistakenly click ‘send’ on an Outlook email, it’s possible that you can still recall an unread sent message. (Please note: Message recall is only available if both you and the recipient have a Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange email account within the same organisation. You cannot cancel an email sent through Outlook on the web, and you are not able to recall a message that’s already been read.)
  • Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Microsoft offers dozen of keyboard shortcuts in Windowsto make your life easier. It’s useful to remember a few that work for you the best.  For a fun example, hold down Shift + [colon] plus [closing bracket on the zero key] and you get a smiley face. 😊
  • Don’t Recreate, Restore: Who hasn’t had the awful experience of working for hours on a document, only to accidentally delete it? Microsoft Office 365 enables you to restore your last saved copy (and a number of previous copies). View and restore files in SharePoint or OneDrive by clicking File > Infoand selecting View. You can see previous versions and restore prior content, and  while it might not take you back to exactly where you left off, you can still get back a lot of your hard work and then carry on.

 

With Microsoft 365, you get smart assistance features that help you create amazing content fast on any device. Imagine living in a world without access to Microsoft 365… No thanks!

Click here to find out more about how Vox can help you with Microsoft 365 for home use.

“Greatness is a lot of small things done well.” – Eric Thomas (American motivational speaker and author)

 

 

 

 

Great Internet Plan, Problem Router?

Posted on by Vivienne Fouche

It’s weekend at last – but Internet access has slowed to a crawl…

Picture the scene, in this non-Vox household. (You’ll see why that’s important later in the story.)

Dad’s watching the Premier League on a streaming service; Mom’s chatting online to her friend overseas; Teenager is doing the initial download of a long-awaited new game, and Tween is on YouTube. Everyone is happy – and then the dreaded buffering starts. Everyone is instantly much less happy, and more bandwidth is clearly required.

“But wait!” says a lone voice, “we upgraded to a new home Internet plan last week and our new download speed is supposed to be blazing fast – so why is it not working?!!!”

The answer could lie with the router.

New Plan, Old Router?

Wi-Fi, as an enabler, carries most of the Internet traffic in a connected home. Your Wi-Fi router converts the Internet data received via the Fibre Optic cables in your neighbourhood into radio signals, to create your home Wi-Fi network and provide all the devices on it with Internet access, using built-in antennas.

 

Untitled design 2024 08 13T154659.142 | Vox | Great Internet Plan, Problem Router?

If you have a Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Internet plan that supports a download speed of say 25Mbps, an older router (and fewer users) is unlikely to cause a bottleneck in your connections.

However, if you then upgrade to a new 300Mbps plan (because of Teenagers / Tweens / the Premier League), but your previous router supports only 25Mbps wired, your Wi-Fi won’t be able to live up to the connectivity promise if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn’t supply you with a newer model.

Connect With Vox

Vox connects you to the Internet and thereafter continues to manage your connection. When you sign up with Vox, we will furnish you with a suitable free-to-use Wi-Fi router based on your chosen package. We don’t charge a delivery fee for the router, or even a monthly fee for its usage – this is included as part of your bundle.

As a premium ISP, Vox ensures that, for standard installations, your Vox free-to-use Wi-Fi router is installed by a dedicated Vox engineer. Alternatively, our Self-Install process allows you to install your free-to-use Wi-Fi router, by following an easy step-by-step guide.

 

    • Fun fact: Different Wi-Fi devices work according to varying frequency bands. Older routers work on the 2.4 Ghz frequency, while newer phones and laptops use the more stable 5Ghz range. A dual-band device that supports both frequencies is ideal.

 

Not all routers over a few years old are necessarily bad, but if you’ve upgraded your Internet plan or added more devices to your network, an older router might have a harder time juggling the extra work than a newer model.

Signs that you might need a Wi-Fi router upgrade include the following: slow speeds; a weak connection; malfunctioning equipment; incompatibility with new devices and even overheating.

 

    • Fun Fact: Old smartphones, tablets, and other devices can slow also down your Internet access, even if you have a new, fast router and an upgraded Internet plan.

 

 

 

jonathan kemper ff96HE413W0 unsplash | Vox | Great Internet Plan, Problem Router?

At Home with Vox

The moral of the story is that new tech needs to meet its match – in other words, more new tech.

As outlined, older routers and network equipment can affect the household’s Wi-Fi speeds, especially when there are multiple users. We believe the issue of having the wrong Wi-Fi router for an upgraded Internet plan with Vox is highly unlikely, because we take care of that level of detail, and the responsibility, for you.

For Customer Service and General Queries, our Vox teams are on hand from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday, and from 08:00 to 14:00 on Saturdays and non-religious public holidays. You can reach us at help@voxtelecom.co.za or call 087 805 0530.

With Vox, upgrading your FTTH Internet usage plan is a straightforward process, and our Technical Support team is always able and willing to help you. We have a Wi-Fi solution for every need.

Sign up with our Fibre to the Home offerings and say goodbye to buffering and hello to hassle-free, connected weekends – for the whole family.

 

AdobeStock 478762309 1 | Vox | Great Internet Plan, Problem Router?

 

Affordable High-Speed Broadband, Plus Value-Adds, for Every South African

Posted on by Vivienne Fouche

Is that all? The importance of offering ‘more’ in a saturated environment

 

Today’s world is defined by Connectivity in ways that seemed unimaginable when the clock first ticked over into the current millennium. Whether it’s WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook, Snapchat or TikTok, people love being connected, and online is here to stay.

Here at Vox, Connectivity lies at the heart of everything we do.

As a leading South African Internet Service Provider (ISP), we are all about connection, communication and conversation – but we also know that we’re not alone. The local telecoms landscape has more than 20 ISPs in operation – you could call it a saturated market.

And so Vox goes above and beyond to offer our customers more than the competition – you definitely won’t hear the phrase: ‘Is that all?’ about any of our offerings! At the heart of our multiple solutions is the goal of being able to offer every South African access to affordable high-speed broadband.

Let’s take a look at how we can get our customers connected.

 

Rocket1 | Vox | Affordable High-Speed Broadband, Plus Value-Adds, for Every South African 

Dealing With Market Saturation

In addition to high-speed broadband, Vox provides many excellent value-adds. As well as lightning-fast Internet, we offer Wi-Fi solutions to keep you connected; cost-effective and quality Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offerings; energy back-up products for power outages; and even cell boosters to enhance your mobile phone experience – no more ‘dead’ zones in the house!

You can look to Vox for the following:

  • Our connectivity solutions begin with Vox Fibre, which comes with value-added extras upon sign-up, like free installation and a free-to-use router.
  • When Fibre is unavailable, other options are provided:
    • Vox Wireless presents high-speed, fixed Microwave Data Connectivity that uses the most innovative microwave technology on the market. It comes with free installation, meaning more money to invest in your business.
    • Consumers and businesses also have the option of choosing Fixed LTE, 5G, and satellite, depending on factors such as their needs and budget, and geographic location.
  • To ensure that our customers get the most out of their Internet solution, we supply best-of-breed Wi-Fi devices, which allow you to maximise your Wi-Fi experience. We also offer managed Wi-Fi network solutions, which enable remote software, firmware updates and reduced technician callouts with remote troubleshooting and fault remediation. Additionally, our expert advice is always available to enhance your overall network experience.
  • We also provide excellent access to power solutions for those times when the power goes down, to keep your Wi-Fi running even in an energy outage.
  • Vox’s shared Mobile Data offering is an ideal mobile wireless solution for a family with multiple SIM-enabled devices, to keep everyone connected while maintaining control over your mobile data bill using our simple online portal.

 

AdobeStock 478762309 | Vox | Affordable High-Speed Broadband, Plus Value-Adds, for Every South African

What Sets Our Connectivity Options Apart?

Vox offers our clients high network availability and an extensive national footprint, as follows:

  • We have a huge range of subscription and pricing solutions, and our sales agents will help you choose the best package for your needs, rather than upselling you on the most expensive.
  • Vox subscribers, both consumers and businesses, have the option of adding backup Internet solutions to their Fibre packages (like LTE or Wireless) to ensure they stay online all the time.
  • Our Proactive Network Monitoring offers safer, more secure Internet access and lower latency.
  • A 24/7/365 in-house Service Centre is available for troubleshooting and incident response for all our customers, across any product.
  • As far as Voice offerings are concerned, we believe that we’re the number 1 VoIP provider in the country.
    • Individual consumers and SMEs can make use of our Vobi softphone application, which is unique to Vox, and allows customers to make and receive high quality Voice and Video calls over Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G-LTE and 5G on the Vox network.
    • Organisations can make use of our Titanium partnership (the highest status possible) with global cloud PBX leader 3CX, to experience a comprehensive communication platform that includes Live Chat, WhatsApp, Facebook, SMS and Video Conferencing.

 

Orange woman megaphone resized | Vox | Affordable High-Speed Broadband, Plus Value-Adds, for Every South African

Vox teams are situated in multiple locations across the country, supported by our extensive footprint of over 1 000 business partners to ensure that our customers receive fast, efficient service wherever they are, whenever needed.

Value-Added Service Offerings

We take full responsibility for all our technical implementations and systems, from concept to installation.

  • The Vox Service Centre offers immediate support to all our customers.
  • The Service Centre also continuously monitors all of Vox’s networks and infrastructure, to ensure that quality of service is always maintained.
  • Specialist product managers are assigned to oversee each portfolio, for continuous research and development to ensure each product is always of the highest standard.
  • An extensive team of account managers and technical engineers offers convenient customer service and solution implementation.
  • If you’ve decided to upscale your business with better Connectivity, don’t stop there! Vox can also organise a customised domain and email address for you, to turbocharge your professionalism, as well as taking care of your email archiving needs with the most comprehensive and hassle-free cloud email and compliancy solution on the market.
  • There’s always a good time to sign up with us – you could win with our ‘Refer a friend’ campaign, and there’s always a fabulous promo running that allows you to sign up and save.

Expertise, innovation and superior quality products are at the heart of Vox. Ultimately, we have everything required to meet our customers’ needs at every stage of their journey – both now, and in the future – and that’s how we keep South Africans staying connected together.

With us, there’s always more.

 

AdobeStock 399195503 resized | Vox | Affordable High-Speed Broadband, Plus Value-Adds, for Every South African

The Benefits of Switching to Fibre Optic Internet

Posted on by Vivienne Fouche

Fibre optic Internet uses light through glass Fibres to deliver far higher speeds and steadier performance than copper ADSL, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, remote work and business continuity.

 

Why would you NOT want to make use of the speed of light?

Because let’s face it: nothing in the current known universe is faster.

Except for The Flash, who can apparently run 13 trillion times faster than the speed of light.

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The DC Universe aside, the speed of light is an amazing thing. According to Einstein’s theory of relativity, it’s the fastest speed in the universe: 300,000 kilometres per second in optimal circumstances.

It’s even more amazing to think it can be used to power our Internet usage.

But this only happens if your Internet service provider is using Fibre Optic cables. If your service provider is still using copper lines as the (much) older technology, Internet at the speed of light is completely out of the question.

 

How Fast Do You Want to Go?

Internet speed means the speed at which information or Data travels from the web to your connected device. It’s calculated in megabits per second (Mbps) and the downloading speed (getting information from the Internet to your device) is often higher than the uploading speed (the other way around – sending information from your device to the Internet).

In the old days, our Internet connections were only able to run on ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). ADSL uses telephone lines (Telkom lines) to transmit Data along copper cables from your nearest telephone exchange to your home or office. These are frequently unreliable and heavily shared among users – which slows down the possible speed of your connection.

Two factors slow down ADSL speed significantly:

  • Distance:The further away you are from the exchange, the greater the distance the Data has to travel, and the slower your Internet.
  • Traffic:When copper cables experience more traffic, the wires heat up and the connection slows.

 

It’s a bit like driving on the highway: when you’re the only driver on the road, you can reach a very satisfying speed, but when it gets crowded, traffic slows down. ADSL can provide average speeds of approximately 4Mbps.

In contrast, Fibre Optic technology transmits Data as light impulses along flexible glass Fibres, enabling users to achieve speeds that are about 500 to 1,000 times faster than your average ADSL line. So how does the marvellous invention of Fibre Optic cables use this speed for Internet services?

  • Fun fact: The first actual Fibre Optic cable was invented in 1952 by UK-based Indian-American physicist, Narinder Singh Kapany, who was a pioneer in the field of Fibre Optics and popularised the term.

 

Harnessing the Speed of Light for Communications

Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and Fibre to the Business (FTTB) services use Optical Fibre to deliver high-speed Internet directly to individual buildings. These Fibre Optic cables, composed of strands of glass, transmit Data using light pulses. Users can achieve incredible speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.

 

Fibre optic internet

 

Some of the benefits of Fibre Optics include the following:

  • High speed: Starting with the most obvious point, Fibre Optics brings you the best available speed within the current Internet landscape.
  • Reliability: Lots of ‘hiccups’ take place during transmission in a copper cable Internet, all the time. With Fibre Optic Internet, a smooth and constant flow of Data means this no longer happens.
    • Fun fact: This is important for gamers, where a small blip at the wrong moment can lose the game.
  • No difference between upload and download speeds: Depending on your needs, you can choose an Internet package that gives you symmetrical speeds for both downloading and uploading. With ADSL copper cables, this isn’t possible (it’s in the name, after all: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line).
  • Connecting multiple devices: The steady signal, with more bandwidth, means you can connect with multiple tablets, laptops, smart TVs and phones at once. Even with different people streaming music and video simultaneously, Fibre Optics can handle the load.
  • Safety and security: Unlike copper wires, Fibre Optic cables have no second-hand value for criminals, which means cables are not usually targeted for theft. They are also much less easy for cybercriminals to hack.
  • Higher quality: Ultra High-Definition TVs pack significantly more pixels into the same area, which makes for better images, but also uses more bandwidth. For Fibre Optic networks, it’s not a problem.
  • Consistent reliability: Fibre Optic cables are less susceptible to interference from weather conditions or other devices, so you’re less likely to experience outages or slow speeds on your network during peak usage times.

 

It’s clear that Fibre Optic networks are capable of much greater speeds and bandwidth than copper-based ADSL. In recent years, prices have also come down substantially.

Why not look into Fibre to the Home from Vox? Just plug in your home address and a map will show you all our Connectivity options available in your area.

What are you waiting for? Move towards the light!

 

FAQs

Q: How fast is Fibre compared to ADSL?
A: Fibre commonly delivers speeds up to 1 000Mbps and can provide symmetrical upload/download rates; ADSL typically delivers much lower, asymmetric speeds that decline with distance from the exchange.

Q: Can Fibre handle multiple devices streaming at once?
A: Yes, Fibre offers greater bandwidth and steadier throughput, so multiple users can stream, game and work simultaneously without noticeable slowdowns.

Q: Is Fibre more secure than copper?
A: Fibre is harder to tap and has little resale value for thieves, making it more secure physically. It also supports network configurations (VLANs) that improve data separation and security.

Q: What’s the difference between Vox Fibre to the Home and Vox Fibre to the Business?
A: Vox Fibre to the Home targets residential customers with high‑speed packages for streaming and everyday use. Vox Fibre to the Business offers dedicated options, lower contention ratios, VLANs and support packages tailored to commercial needs.

Q: How do I check if Vox Fibre is available in my area?
A: Plug in your home address on the Vox availability page and select ‘Connect me’ to check availability and see current connectivity options for your location.

 

Fibre optic internet

How 5G Networks Can Strengthen Your Business Cybersecurity

Posted on by Chris Boshoff

The rollout of 5G technology is revolutionising more than just network speeds—it’s reshaping enterprise cybersecurity. With stronger encryption, smarter authentication, real-time monitoring, and network segmentation, 5G delivers an advanced security framework that helps businesses proactively defend against cyber threats.

Below, we explore how 5G enhances cybersecurity and strengthens your company’s digital resilience.

Key Cybersecurity Benefits of 5G Networks

  • Enhanced data encryption

  • Stronger privacy protection

  • Network slicing for isolated security zones

  • Multi-layered authentication

  • Real-time threat monitoring and anomaly detection

  • Edge computing security advantages

  • Automated security responses

  • Secure connectivity for large device ecosystems

  • AI and machine learning-driven threat prevention

  • Improved global roaming security

Let’s unpack how these 5G capabilities work to secure your business.

1. Enterprise-Grade Data Encryption

5G introduces next-generation encryption, including 256-bit encryption standards and advanced cryptographic algorithms—future-proofing networks, even against emerging quantum computing threats.

Why this matters:
Sensitive business data is significantly harder to intercept or decrypt, drastically reducing exposure to cybercrime.

2. Stronger Privacy & Identity Protection

Unlike 4G, 5G masks user identities using a Subscriber Concealed Identity (SUCI) instead of transmitting personal identifiers in plain text.

What this means for business:
Better protection for confidential internal data, customer profiles, and proprietary information.

3. Network Slicing: Custom Security Zones for Your Business

5G allows multiple isolated virtual networks to run on the same infrastructure. Each can have tailored security controls, access rules, and monitoring.

Security advantage:
If a breach occurs in one slice, it can be instantly quarantined—leaving the rest of the network untouched.

4. More Secure Authentication

5G strengthens access control through:

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

  • Secure device verification

  • Asymmetric encryption-based identity validation

Result:
Fewer risk points, less impersonation, and tighter access control across networks and connected devices.

5. Real-Time Threat Monitoring and Detection

Powered by machine learning analytics, 5G monitors networks in real time to detect unusual activity and security anomalies at internet scale.

Security outcome:
Faster detection = faster response = fewer breaches.

6. Edge Computing for Reduced Attack Surfaces

5G can process data closer to its origin rather than routing everything through central servers.

Benefits include:

  • Lower risk of data exposure

  • Faster incident response

  • Fewer network choke points for attackers

7. Automated Cybersecurity Response

5G networks can support self-automated threat detection and mitigation, reducing reliance on manual intervention.

Impact on business:
Shorter vulnerability windows, fewer successful exploits, and less operational downtime.

8. High-Volume Device Security

With capacity for up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometre, 5G delivers scalable, secure support for large device ecosystems.

Security benefit:
Centralised security oversight, real-time monitoring, and stronger endpoint protection across massive connected environments.

9. AI-Driven Cyber Defence

The ultra-low latency and high throughput of 5G allows AI and machine learning security models to respond instantly to emerging threats.

Bottom line:
Cybersecurity becomes predictive, not reactive.

10. Safer Global Roaming & Network-to-Network Security

5G replaces outdated roaming protocols like SS7 and Diameter with the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP)—creating a unified, encrypted communication layer between global networks.

Advantage:
Improved protection for businesses operating across borders, especially those with mobile or roaming workforces.

5G Is a Major Leap Forward for Business Security

5G is no longer just about faster internet—it is a cybersecurity enabler that provides:

  • Stronger encryption

  • Smarter authentication

  • Intelligent threat monitoring

  • Network isolation and control

  • Faster automated responses

For businesses navigating an increasingly unpredictable digital threat landscape, 5G delivers a future-ready security foundation.

🔐 Secure Your Business with 5G-Enabled Cyber Protection

The companies that adopt 5G aren’t just upgrading their networks—they’re upgrading their security strategy.

Want to explore how 5G can protect and enable your business? Get in touch with Vox to future-proof your organisation today.

5G’s Role in Enhancing Business Communications and Operations

Posted on by Chris Boshoff

Not Just Entertainment: The Future of 5G in Business Communications

5G was developed to handle the growing demand for data and deliver faster, more efficient mobile networks. In doing so, it brings major improvements to how we connect, work, and communicate. While most people get excited about 5G for entertainment — lightning-fast downloads or smoother gaming — the real game-changer lies in what 5G can do for business communications and business operations.

Why Effective Communication Still Decides Business Success

Business communication — internal and external — is the backbone of operational success. When communication is strong, companies see higher productivity, quicker problem-solving, better relationships, and healthier company culture.

DecisionWise, a global consulting firm, found:

  • Companies with low employee engagement earn 32.7% less in operating income compared to engaged companies.

  • Companies with a highly engaged workforce see operating income rise by 19.2% within 12 months.

The message is simple: when communication improves, engagement improves, and the bottom line follows.

How 5G Transforms Business Communications

5G theoretically delivers up to 20Gbps download speeds, 10Gbps uploads, and latency as low as 4ms. Tests in South Africa reached average speeds around 250Mbps, equivalent to high-end fibre.

Its biggest strengths — speed, latency, bandwidth and efficiency — directly improve how companies communicate, collaborate, and operate.

1. Faster Speeds for Instant Collaboration

5G can reach speeds up to 100x faster than 4G LTE.
This means:

  • Faster file transfers

  • Smoother video calls with clients and teams

  • Instant software updates

  • Faster access to cloud platforms and business tools

For fast-paced businesses, speed equals efficiency.

2. Ultra-Low Latency for Real-Time Performance

Latency is the time it takes data to travel from point A to point B. With 5G, latency drops to 1 millisecond — compared to 30–50ms on 4G.

Ultra-low latency benefits:

  • Real-time communication tools

  • Live collaboration

  • AI-driven decision-making

  • Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications

  • Data-heavy IoT devices

Web pages load faster, systems respond instantly, and real-time technologies finally work the way they’re supposed to.

3. More Bandwidth for More Devices

Modern workplaces rely on multiple connected devices. 5G’s increased bandwidth allows:

  • More IoT devices operating at once

  • More users connected without slowdowns

  • Better performance in high-density environments

  • Reliable smart office automation

As businesses add more tools, sensors, and platforms, bandwidth becomes non-negotiable.

4. Improved Network Efficiency and Reliability

5G introduces technologies like:

  • Dynamic spectrum sharing

  • Network slicing

Both ensure users get the network resources they need without interruptions — even during peak usage.

This allows businesses to:

  • Automate processes

  • Host high-quality web conferencing

  • Enjoy consistent, reliable connectivity

  • Reduce downtime and performance bottlenecks

Reliable networks aren’t a luxury. They’re a requirement.

The Future: 5G Unlocks the Next Wave of Innovation

5G doesn’t just improve communication — it enables entirely new business models and capabilities.

5G supports advanced technologies such as:

  • Internet of Things (IoT)

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)

  • Augmented reality (AR)

  • Virtual reality (VR)

These aren’t new concepts, but 5G finally gives them the infrastructure to scale.

For example, VR in education and training is already accelerating. Forbes projects the global VR education market to reach US$13 billion by 2026.

With 5G, innovations like VR classrooms, remote diagnostics, AR-assisted engineering, and predictive automation move from “future tech” to daily reality.

Bring Your Business Comms Into the Future with 5G

The advantages of 5G — speed, low latency, bandwidth, and efficiency — make it a powerful upgrade for any organisation looking to improve productivity and communication.

If you’re ready to modernise how your business connects, collaborates, and operates, explore the 5G offerings from Vox.

The future of business communication is already here. 5G just makes it faster, smarter, and more capable.

From Smart Homes to Flying Cars: How 5G Could Change the Future

Posted on by Chris Boshoff

Chris Boshoff unpacks how 5G technology has the potential to affect various aspects of everyday life, from streaming to smart homes – sooner than you’d think.

 

There’s a huge buzz today around the arrival of 5G, the latest advancement in wireless technology that has the potential to revolutionise our digital landscape – and with it our daily lives.

From incredibly fast data transfers to enabling smart homes and cities, 5G is set to be a game-changer. The fifth generation of wireless technology is expected to transform how we connect and interact with the digital world. Just imagine our current internet capabilities, but significantly enhanced – for example, with download speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G – and that’s what 5G is all about.

What the Current Hype is All About

5G technology is revolutionising the way we experience mobile connectivity, bringing a host of benefits to everyday life. Developed to manage the growing demand for data and enhance the efficiency of mobile networks, 5G delivers a range of improvements that make our digital interactions faster and more reliable.

One of the standout features of 5G is its peak speed capabilities. With 5G, downloading movies, streaming videos, and accessing apps and music happens in mere seconds. This increased speed translates to a smoother and more enjoyable user experience, reducing wait times and frustration.

In addition to speed, 5G significantly reduces latency, meaning the delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction. This low latency ensures that web pages load almost instantaneously and that new applications, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and virtual reality (VR), perform efficiently and seamlessly.

5G also enhances network reliability and availability. With a more stable connection, users can enjoy uninterrupted service even in high-traffic areas or during peak usage times. This improved reliability is beneficial for personal use while also offering substantial advantages for businesses. Companies can leverage 5G to automate processes, engage in advanced web conferencing, and maintain consistent, high-quality connectivity.

The increased network capacity of 5G supports a higher volume of connected devices, making it easier to manage multiple smart devices and IoT applications simultaneously. This capacity is crucial for accommodating the growing number of connected gadgets in homes and workplaces.

Theoretically, 5G offers data transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps for downloads and up to 10Gbps for uploads, with a maximum latency of up to 4ms. Tests conducted in South Africa revealed average download speeds of around 250Mbps, which compares well to a fast fibre experience. Looking at the practical implications of 5G for both individuals and society is fascinating. When will this amazing new future arrive – and how much of it is here already?

With Vox, of course, your 5G offerings are already available.

 

‘Back to the Future’: Life Imitates Art

So that’s what 5G can already do in the present. Just for fun, let’s look at connectivity, Hollywood-style.

Remember the much-loved Hollywood cult classic, ‘Back to the Future 2’?

This movie, starring Michael J Fox as street-smart teenager Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as the ‘mad genius’ scientist Doc Brown, was filmed in 1989 (35 years ago). It predicted quite a lot of the technology that we know and love today.

Predicted in the movie and reality today:

  • Flat screen TVs
  • Video calls
  • Using biometrics to pay for items
  • Targeted personalised advertising
  • Nike self-lacing shoes
  • Smart watches

 

Predicted but not quite yet:

 

The point is that a movie which is still regularly streamed today has accurately predicted some of today’s technology like smartwatches, video calling, flat screen TVs, biometric security scanners and digital currencies.

And in all these instances, super-fast data connections, and significant data capacity, lie at the heart of the applications.

 

Moving Into the Future – With 5G

However, we could also think: “Well, never mind ‘Back to the Future’, this is all ‘Back to the Present’ – so where’s the real future?”

This is where discussing 5G brings us today’s ‘Into the Future’!

  • Enhanced mobile connectivity: Waiting for videos to buffer, or large files to download, will truly come to an end. Additionally, the quality of our communications is set to improve dramatically, so that video calls will feature crystal-clear images and seamless audio.
  • Business and manufacturing: Remote work could become smoother and more productive with high-quality video conferencing and faster file transfers. In manufacturing, 5G could power the next phase of industrial automation. The high bandwidth and low latency of 5G could enable more sophisticated robotics and real-time monitoring of production lines, potentially increasing efficiency and reducing downtime.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) revolution: 5G is set to be the IoT backbone, bringing us closer to the reality of truly smart homes and cities. Imagine a refrigerator that automatically orders groceries when supplies run low, or a heating system that learns your preferences and adjusts accordingly. On a larger scale, 5G will enable smarter, more efficient cities. Traffic management systems could adapt in real-time to reduce congestion, and energy usage could be optimised with intelligent streetlights. Already, in Los Angeles, more than 3,000 of the city’s street lights are providing extended cellular and data connectivity to LA residents with 4G and 5G service, and much of the equipment is embedded in the poles.
  • Automotive industry: 5G will play a crucial role in the development of connected and autonomous vehicles. Cars will be able to communicate with each other and with infrastructure, potentially reducing accidents and improving traffic flow.
  • Healthcare transformation: Wearable devices could transmit real-time health data to healthcare providers as a general reality for everyone, allowing for more personalised care. IoT capabilities can continue to facilitate the reality of drones delivering packages for medical and blood supplies, as well as vaccines, in remote areas – this area has huge potential to, if you’ll pardon the pun, really take off.
  • Education and remote learning: The use of mixed reality in education and training can promote deeper understanding. With the use of headsets, visors and sensors, teachers can explain complex concepts to students in a sensory-rich environment.
  • Entertainment and media: Streaming services will be able to offer higher quality content with less buffering. 4K and even 8K video streaming could become common, providing viewers with an unprecedented level of detail and immersion. Cloud gaming services could allow users to play graphically intensive games on mobile devices. The low latency of 5G could also improve multiplayer gaming experiences.

 

As outlined previously, LTE customers today who already have high data usage of over 500GB per month are ideal users to adopt 5G technology. Not only does 5G offer better speeds and deliver more data throughput, it also creates a much better user experience for high demand use, as indicated above.

Even if LTE customers are gaming fanatics, but don’t use a lot of data, 5G will benefit them since it provides the improved latency that they require.

Technology has already had a massive impact on the way we work, play and live. However, with the introduction of 5G, we’re at the beginning of a new technological revolution.

It’s not only about having access to faster internet; it’s about creating a more connected and responsive world. As for flying cars… that’s still up in the air.

 

Back to the future flying car | Vox | From Smart Homes to Flying Cars: How 5G Could Change the Future
Screengrab from ‘Back to the Future 2’

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