Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates: you never quite know what you’re going to get. And the same applies with your connectivity. Choosing an Internet Service Provider can be tricky.

The world we live in is proof that there’s such a thing as “too much choice”.

Gone are the days of limited options or distorted supply/demand ratios (unless it’s a Dubai chocolate or working electricity).

Want a burger? You can choose any topping, any meat, and if you’re not feeling for McDonald’s, you can take your pick from synthetic burger-like ingredients at any given corner.

Pizzas have crust choices, brand choices, cheese choices, and even the option to blaspheme with pineapple.

Even our SA staple, Nando’s, has a new variant every second month (vote for Pedro!)

And that’s just the food industry.

The Fibre game is no different. Choosing the right Internet Service Provider has become a maze of navigating terminology, promotional deals, speeds, prices, and additional extras. We all claim we’re the best – so how is a customer supposed to know which one really is?

How to choose an Internet Service Provider

  1. Step One: Choose Vox.
  2. Step Two: If you’re with another Internet Service Provider, head to vox.co.za and sign up.

The End.

Yeah, we’re kidding. Life isn’t that simple. But hey, cutting to the chase once in a while is quite fun, no? On a serious note, here’s what goes into making an informed (and non-regrettable) Fibre choice.

Why choose Fibre over other connections?

Fibre delivers higher speeds, lower latency and symmetrical upload/download performance — which makes it ideal for streaming, gaming, video calls and cloud backups.

  • Speed and reliability: Fibre lines are less affected by distance and congestion than copper or ADSL, so you’ll get consistent speeds during peak times.
  • Symmetrical speeds: Upload speeds often match downloads — perfect if you’re working from home, uploading large files or hosting video calls.
  • Future-proofing: Fibre handles increasing home and business demand so you won’t have to upgrade again soon.

Figure out what you need, how you need it, and what your Connectivity demands are, and you’re already past step one.

Internet Service Provider cheat sheet

Look beyond headline speed — check contention, availability, installation terms, support and any extra costs.

  • Real-world speed vs marketed speed: Ask about typical speeds during peak hours, not just the maximum.
  • Contention ratio and dedicated options: Lower contention (or 1:1 for dedicated lines) gives better performance for business-critical use.
  • Installation time & costs: Confirm whether an installation fee applies, whether there’s any equipment rental and how long the technician wait time is.
  • Contracts and hidden costs: Read the small print for early‑termination fees, price increases and fair‑use policies.
  • Support & SLA: For small businesses, an SLA and 24/7 support minimise downtime. For homes, reliable support and clear SLAs matter too.
  • Extras: VLANs, static IPs or redundancy options can be important for businesses — ask if they’re included or optional.

How to check Fibre availability in your area

You can use our area coverage tool or contact our Sales Team with your exact address and suburb.

  • Many providers list availability by suburb or street; enter your full address or call the sales line for a precise check.
  • If Fibre isn’t available, ask about temporary or alternative options (Vox Kiwi,5G or satellite).
  • Pro tip: availability often differs between metros (Joburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria) and outlying suburbs — always check by street.

What speed do you actually need?

For most households, 20–50Mbps is fine; streamers, gamers or multi-device homes should consider 50–100Mbps or higher. Small businesses often need symmetrical 50Mbps+ and lower contention.

  • Single user / basic browsing: 10–20Mbps.
  • Streaming HD and video calls (2–3 people): 20–50Mbps.
  • Large families, 4K streaming, gaming: 50–100Mbps.
  • Small business, cloud backups, video conferencing: 50Mbps+ symmetrical recommended.

Before you sign up with an Internet Service Provider

  • Confirm real-world speed expectations and contention ratio.
  • Ask about installation fees, router rental and contract length.
  • Check SLA and support hours (is 24/7 support included?).
  • Verify whether the package includes static IPs, VLANs or failover options (this is important for businesses).
  • Read the T&Cs for price increases and exit fees.
  • Make sure there’s a clear contact for help and escalation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fibre Internet?
Fibre uses glass strands to carry data at light speeds with low latency, offering more reliable and faster connections than copper or mobile options.

How do I check if Fibre is available at my address?
Enter your full street address into our area coverage tool or contact our sales team with the suburb and street name for a precise check.

Do Fibre packages have data caps?
Many Fibre packages are uncapped (ours definitely are), but always check the provider’s fair‑use policy and contract details before signing.

What speed do I need for working from home?
For video calls, file uploads and multiple users, aim for symmetrical 50Mbps or higher, depending on team size and workloads.

What if my area doesn’t have Fibre?
The Vox area coverage tool automatically gives you every available option – from Vox Kiwi to LTE and 5G to get connected.