Uncapped, unshaped data with no fair use policies, Kiwi Wireless is about to change the face of connectivity in South Africa
Vox, a specialist provider of top-class internet and voice solutions for homes and business, has announced the launch of Vox Kiwi Home Wireless, a new consumer broadband service that delivers a fibre-like experience without the need for trenching or cabling. Powered by Tarana’s next-generation technology, Kiwi offers speeds of 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and up to 200 Mbps, on an uncapped, unshaped and unthrottled line.
Fibre-like Speeds where Fibre Can’t Reach
Designed for South African households that don’t have access to fibre and where installation is prohibitively slow or expensive, Kiwi Wireless offers customers a simpler wireless alternative. One that delivers exceptional connectivity without the need for extensive infrastructure or disruption.
“Consumers have told us that they want fibre-quality internet without the hassle and with no fair-use policies or unpredictable throttling,” said Nikita Appelman, Product Manager for Wireless at Vox.
“Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is a smooth and simple alternative to disruptive trenching or fibre installation delays, offering consistent, high-quality connectivity people can rely on. Installation is also painless – a small, flat panel antenna is mounted on the roof connected to a router inside the home.”
The result is consistent connectivity for streaming, remote work, online learning and smart home devices, without the disruption of trenching or digging.
Affordable Costing
Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is also launching at an affordable price point, making it an accessible choice for consumers. It costs R849 per month for the 50 Mbps service with installation priced at just R999 as a once-off fee.
This upfront cost is competitive, lowering the barrier to entry for households wanting a trusted connectivity solution that doesn’t leave their wallet gasping. The 100 Mbps service is available for R1,039 a month and it is possible to upgrade to the 200 Mbps option if the home fits specific conditions, such as proximity to high sites.
Vox has a proven track record. The Service spans more than five million homes across South Africa, spanning both major metros and smaller towns.
“Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is giving South Africans more choice,” says Appelman. “If you can’t get fibre or you don’t want the wait and disruption that comes with installing fibre, then you can use Kiwi to get connected almost immediately. The service is fast and consistent and is designed to deliver high-quality connectivity.”
Vox Kiwi Home Wireless with the Vox backing, brings unmatched quality and reliability and a fresh and innovative new product offering to the South African consumer.
Available to order from 19 November 2025, with installations handled directly by Vox’s national support and service teams, Kiwi Wireless is the perfect fit for consumers who want access to the digital lifestyle without having to hurry up and wait for fibre.
Kiwi Wireless offers choice – a way to access a modern, connected lifestyle even when fibre isn’t feasible. With transparent pricing and uncapped data, it’s a practical, future‑ready option for many South African homes.
Ready to stop waiting for fibre? Discover Kiwi Wireless and order here:
FAQs
What is Vox Kiwi Home Wireless? Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is a fixed wireless consumer broadband service using Tarana technology that delivers fibre-like speeds (50/100/200 Mbps) without trenching or cabling.
Is the data capped or throttled? No. Kiwi is uncapped, unshaped and unthrottled, and it does not have a fair‑use policy.
How is Kiwi installed? A small flat panel antenna is mounted on the roof and connected to a router inside the home. Installation is managed by Vox certified teams.
Who is Kiwi best suited for? Households without access to fibre, properties where trenching is expensive or disruptive, renters, and anyone needing a quick, reliable broadband solution.
Does Vox provide support and maintenance? Yes. Vox handles installation and ongoing support through its national service teams.
How do I check availability at my address? Visit the Vox Kiwi product page and enter your address to check coverage and order options: https://www.vox.co.za/wireless-to-the-home/
Vox, one of South Africa’s leading internet and communications companies, has launched a free, tiered loyalty programme that rewards customers with instant value discounts across groceries, fast food, retail, travel, technology and education.
Delivering everyday savings to customers, the programme launches with two tiers – Bronze and Silver – and is free for qualifying customers, offering impressive vouchers and discounts that have an immediate financial benefit.
“The Vox loyalty programme rewards customers for great payment behaviour and for being long-standing users of our products and services,” says Claire Williamson. Senior Product Manager – FTTH at Vox. “The programme is designed to provide our users with tangible benefits they can use to save money and improve their quality of life, every day.”
Customers qualify for the programme by being a Vox fibre-to-the-home subscriber and paying their account consistently via debit order. It is being launched in partnership with a specialist loyalty platform that manages established brand relationships across South Africa, and will provide customers with access to digital coupons, vouchers and discounts from the outset. This means Vox customers can save money instantly on the items they purchase every week rather than niche benefits or gimmicks.
At launch, the programme introduces two tiers – Bronze and Silver – with Gold and Diamond tiers to follow, and the savings are substantial. Silver tier members will have access to grocery coupons of up to R1,250 per month at leading retailers, while Bronze tier members will enjoy monthly fast-food vouchers and retail gift card discounts of around 10%.
Vox developed the programme to address two business realities. The first, a need to retain customers where non-payments are often the cause of churn. The second, is to provide even more value to customers in a saturated fibre market where differentiation and customer care make a difference. Incentivising customer payment choices and preferences and recognising those who have remained with the company are a smart way to reward loyalty and build engagement.
“We want our customers to know how important they are to our business and longevity,” says Williamson. “Their commitment to our brand should be recognised with rewards that show our commitment to them.”
From the moment customers join Vox, they can start redeeming real savings with more value unlocked as they move through the different loyalty tiers. Vox will be consistently refreshing the offers and vouchers on offer and testing new categories, like dining and health and wellness, to keep the experience dynamic and fun.
The Vox rewards model is deliberately straightforward: customers qualify by being a Vox FTTH subscriber who pays their account consistently via debit order and can immediately begin accessing benefits. Membership is free, with rewards scaled by points earned, reinforcing Vox’s position as a market differentiator in the ISP industry as the first to offer a free rewards system.
“Households need real savings, not gimmicks,” said Williamson, Vox. “By working with loyalty rewards partners, we’re bringing grocery, food and retail value straight into the homes of our fibre customers. It’s a benefit you can use every week, and it grows the longer you stay with us.”
Why not register today to start enjoying the benefits available to you through Vox Rewards? Visit our website at https://benefits.voxrewards.co.za – the process of signing up and participating in the programme is simple!
Join the Vox loyalty programme – check your eligibility and explore your Rewards!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the Vox loyalty programme? Qualifying customers are Vox Fibre to the Home subscribers who pay their accounts consistently via debit order.
Is there a fee to join, and how do I register? There is no fee to join – membership is free for qualifying customers. Visit our website at https://benefits.voxrewards.co.za – the process of signing up and participating in the programme is simple!
What rewards are available at launch? The programme launches with Bronze and Silver tiers. Bronze members receive monthly fast-food vouchers and retail discounts; Silver members additionally get access to grocery coupons to the value of up to R1,250 per month.
How do I move from Bronze to Silver (or higher tiers)? Rewards scale with points earned for consistent payments and tenure. Continue paying by debit order and maintain good payment behaviour to progress through tiers.
How do I redeem my vouchers? Vouchers and coupons are issued digitally via the Rewards platform and can be redeemed at participating partner retailers according to each offer’s terms.
Which retailers and partners are included? Vox has partnered with a specialist loyalty platform that manages established brand relationships across South Africa — participating retailers will be listed in the rewards portal and updated regularly.
Who can I contact for help with rewards or eligibility? Contact Vox customer support for questions about eligibility, account status or voucher redemption.
The good news is out – the Vox Rewards programme for our loyal clients has been officially launched! As household budgets continue to take strain for millions of South Africans, we’ve designed our Vox Rewards programme – available since the 17th of November – to help our customers with a variety of ways to get through the month.
We’re proud that our loyalty programme sets us apart from our competitors by offering extra value to our clients, through the provision of carefully chosen lifestyle benefits. By signing up with Vox Rewards, customers are given access to thousands of Rands in monthly savings, through discounts and coupons from some of South Africa’s favourite brands.
Vox customers, both new and existing, will be rewarded with retail choices, fast food options, travel discounts, reduced prices on tech and gadgets, access to lower costs for online education options, online retail and stationery purchases, and up to R1,250 in grocery rewards every month (Silver Tier only).
Simply by signing up with Vox Rewards, Vox customers get help with their budgeting and planning, across a number of different categories.
Calling all fashionistas: Update your wardrobe with up to 10% off retail gift cards from Edgars, Legit, Style and Beaver Canoe OR get 10% off online purchases at BRANDZ.
Enjoy takeaways: Treat your tastebuds with discount coupons from KFC, Steers, Debonairs Pizza and Hungry Lion.
Enjoy travel deals: With partners including FlySafair, Citiliner, Intercape and Luxliner.
Tech and gadgets: Keep up to date with Dress Your Tech, and enjoy up to 25% off (minimum spend of R500 online), as well as up to 8% off ASUS.
Online learning: Empower yourself through access to online learning through IT Upskill.
Online Stationery: Enjoy 10% off all your online stationery purchases at Statesman Stationery.
Groceries (Silver Tier only): Save up to R1,250 on groceries every month by using your Shoprite & Checkers coupons.
As you can see, the Vox Rewards are designed to help our customers with financial assistance in a holistic way.
Why not register today to start enjoying the benefits available to you through Vox Rewards? Visit our website at https://benefits.voxrewards.co.za – the process of signing up and participating in the programme is simple!
We look forward to signing up our new and existing customers and helping you to put real cash value back into your wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vox Rewards programme?
Vox Rewards is a loyalty programme for qualifying Vox customers that provides discounts, coupons and monthly savings across retail, food, travel, tech, online learning and groceries.
When did Vox Rewards launch?
Vox Rewards officially launched on 17 November 2025.
How much can I save on groceries?
Silver Tier members can save up to R1,250 per month using Shoprite & Checkers grocery coupons.
Which partners and discounts are included?
Partners include Edgars, Legit, BRANDZ, KFC, Steers, Debonairs, FlySafair, Dress Your Tech, ASUS, IT Upskill and Statesman Stationery, among others.
When ‘Kiwi’ means more than just nicely-packaged Vitamin C
Vox is shaking up some common kitchen features into Connectivity territory with our newest offering: Vox Kiwi Home Wireless.
Yes, it looks like a kiwi fruit (the branding).
Yes, it’s microwave (the connectivity technology).
No, it’s got nothing to do with your kitchen and everything to do with your Internet Connectivity!
Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is a Fixed Microwave connectivity solution available countrywide in selected areas where Fibre isn’t available, providing a Fibre-like experience and quick installation. So let’s take a look at what makes it such a juicy offering.
Not Just for the Kitchen
Fixed Microwave Internet – also known as Wireless – is a great alternative to Fibre, especially in areas where the Fibre Network Operators (FNOs) haven’t yet laid the required cabling infrastructure. Microwave signals provide a fixed wireless broadband connection through a high-capacity Microwave radio link, with speeds up to 200Mbps, and widely available.
The Vox Kiwi Home Wireless service is Uncapped, Unshaped and not restricted to any Fair Use Policy – it’s perfect for the home user who needs more for less!
Having a capped connectivity service essentially means that your internet access will be cut off as soon as you reach your data cap.
Uncapped Internet plans with a Fair Use Policy (FUP) limit the amount of data you can consume at your purchased speed. If your data threshold has been reached, then your speeds will be slower for the rest of the month.
Uncapped internet plans without a Fair Use Policy (FUP) don’t limit the amount of data you can consume and do not throttle your service. Users don’t have to worry about exceeding data limits and facing slower speeds or additional charges. Connectivity is never interrupted, providing a seamless browsing experience regardless of your usage experience.
And so, Vox Kiwi provides an uncapped, No FUP Fixed Microwave connectivity option that gives you constant, reliable and fast access to the Internet at all times, meaning that you will experience no drop in your connection speed, and you’ll have access to fast and reliable internet at all times – perfect for online gaming and streaming.
How It Works
The Vox Kiwi Home Wireless service provides a Fibre-like-experience, with low latency and low jitter, and high throughput.
Vox Kiwi uses the latest fixed Microwave technology, meaning we will be installing a small flat panel (about the size of a A4 sheet of paper) on your roof, as opposed to using a Fibre cable, as well as providing you with a free-to-use Wi-Fi router!
It’s quick to deploy in feasible areas, with no delays caused by trenching requirements and wayleave approvals, as occurs with Fibre installations (a wayleave is a contractual agreement between municipalities and a telecoms provider, enabling the provider to install, maintain and repair telecoms equipment).
Vox provides easy upgrades, to a service of up to 200Mbps, and our Managed Service offering provides you with 24 / 7 / 365 support.
When Life Gives You Lemons…
Vox took note of the old saying that says: ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’, meaning that when you’re faced with a challenge, find a way to sweeten it. In this case, we prefer to say: ‘When life gives you lemons, choose Kiwis instead’, meaning that when Fibre is unavailable in your area, choose Fixed Microwave!
Now isn’t that something to sweeten the deal? Contact us for more information.
FAQs
What is Vox Kiwi Home Wireless? A fixed microwave (fixed wireless) internet service from Vox that uses a roof‑mounted flat panel antenna to deliver Fibre-like connectivity where Fibre isn’t available.
Is Kiwi Home Wireless uncapped? Yes. Vox Kiwi Home Wireless is uncapped and offered without a Fair Use Policy (no FUP), so you don’t face throttling when you use more data.
What speeds can I get with Kiwi Home Wireless? Packages scale up to 200Mbps in feasible areas. Exact speeds depend on site feasibility and the package you select.
How long does installation take? Installation is typically quick once feasibility is confirmed because it doesn’t require trenching or wayleave approvals; exact lead times depend on local scheduling.
Do I get a router and equipment? Yes. Vox supplies the roof-mounted microwave panel and a free-to-use Wi‑Fi router as part of the service.
Is Kiwi Home Wireless suitable for gaming and streaming? Yes. With low latency, low jitter and high throughput, it’s well suited to online gaming, streaming and real-time applications.
How do I check if Kiwi Home Wireless is available at my address? Visit vox.co.za to check availability in your area. Availability is determined by line‑of‑sight to the nearest microwave site.
We’re living in turbulent times, and many of us are getting hammered (financially) on all fronts. And so Vox is proud to be the first local ISP to offer our customers, both new and existing, a brand-new…
*drum roll*
*it-really-doesn’t-get-much-better than this*
… loyalty programme, named Vox Rewards, which is guaranteed to help you stretch those Rands, and put a bit of sense back into your monthly budget!
Our favourite local blogger, The Good Things Guy, has also commented on how cash-strapped many South Africans are right now – does any of this sound familiar?
Picking which bill will go unpaid this month;
Choosing cheaper options in the grocery store;
Cutting back on data; and
Skipping meals (when you’re not on a diet)?
If none of the above apply to you right now, then they could surely mean something to someone you know?
Perhaps these scenarios are also familiar:
Persuading your carnivorous teenagers that ‘meat-free Mondays’ should be done for the household grocery budget as well as the planet;
Scouring online ads for specials (coffee!); and
Not being offended when you get offered the pensioner discount at the till, when you’re still some years off retirement age.
The struggle is real.
And so Vox is thrilled to announce the launch of Vox Rewards, which is being offered to both our new and existing Home Fibre clients. Designed in tiers – you can work your way up the levels – Vox Rewards will offer our customers access to thousands of Rands in monthly savings, discounts, vouchers and coupons from some of South Africa’s favourite brands!
The Rewards available will vary depending on the tier that you’re on, but include the following from some of our favourite local brands:
Enjoy up to R1,250 monthly in grocery savings (tier dependent);
Tickle your tastebuds with discounts on takeout;
Enjoy deals on travel, tech and gadgets, and online stationery;
Empower yourself with savings on online learning;
Get access to free legal or medical advice; and
Put your best fashion-foot forward with fashion retailers.
At Vox, we’re working together to help you navigate the challenges of the economy, and put real savings back into your pocket.
Now you can once again make ‘meat-free Mondays’ a personal choice, and not a financial survival strategy.
Watch this space – and our social media platforms – for more information coming soon!
Live Life in the Rewards Lane with Vox Fibre. Call us on 087 805 0003 for more information.
FAQs
What is Vox Rewards?
Vox Rewards is Vox’s new tiered loyalty programme offering discounts, vouchers and savings to both new and existing customers.
When does Vox Rewards launch?
Vox Rewards launched on 17 November 2025. Watch our social channels and your Vox account for full details.
Who is eligible for Vox Rewards?
Qualifying Vox customers, both new and existing, are eligible. Benefits depend on the tier you reach.
How do I join Vox Rewards?
Qualifying customers will receive launch and sign-up instructions from Vox. You can also visit our sign-up page: https://vox.co.za/sign-up
Are the rewards available nationwide?
Most partner offers are available across South Africa. Specific offers and participating retailers will be listed when the programme launches.
Can I move up tiers?
Yes. Vox Rewards is tiered so increased engagement and activity can unlock higher-level rewards.
Where can I get help or more information?
Call us on 087 805 0003 for more information.
The use of Teams Phone, a cloud-based phone system, transforms Microsoft Teams into a full Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform, blending Voice, video, chat and collaboration. To enable external calling, organisations can select from a variety of solutions, each balancing simplicity, control and customisation.
The right choice for your business depends on your IT maturity, existing infrastructure and business needs.
In this article we discuss the various options of navigating Microsoft Teams Voice Connectivity from Vox. Collectively, our customers report deployments that are 20 to 50 percent faster, with lower operational costs, and resilience tailored to SA’s infrastructure challenges.
Microsoft Teams Voice: Three Excellent Options to Consider
Microsoft Teams offers two primary pathways for enabling public switched telephone network (PSTN) or PSTN-replacement (VoIP) calling from within the Teams application, namely:
Operator Connect for managed simplicity, and
Direct Routing for flexible control.
We also discuss:
Azure Communication Services (ACS), a developer-centric Platform as a Service (PaaS), for building custom communication apps that extend Teams Phone into other IT assets.
The choice for your organisation hinges on factors such as infrastructure, scale and workforce distribution.
In addition, the options aren’t mutually exclusive. For example, you may want or need to use Operator Connect for core users and Azure Communication Services for developer-built bots, or Direct Routing with a Survival Branch Appliance (SBA) for branch offices or sites that can never be without telephony services (for example underground mining).
In short, though, it’s useful to think of your options as follows:
Operator Connect suits low-overhead rollouts in regulated sectors such as finance, legal and advisory;
Direct Routing fits legacy-heavy environments such as manufacturing; and
Azure Communication Services (ACS) is suitable if you’re building custom experiences, for example, Voice in CRM apps, or need extensibility beyond your standard PBX.
Operator Connect (OC)
Operator Connect (OC) is a fully managed service where the Vox Voice network enables calling to and from any destination while being integrated directly into Teams. No on-premises hardware is required – Vox peers with Microsoft’s Azure network for seamless integration.
Key features include the following: Number provisioning via Teams Admin Centre, built-in emergency calling, fraud monitoring, and 99.999% SLA from Vox and Microsoft. OC supports hybrid models (for example: mix with Direct Routing for sites that require offline survivability).
OC is best for organisations prioritising speed and a low IT burden. A deployment can take hours to days, instead of days to weeks, making OC ideal for environments requiring optimal security, fast scaling and low IT burden.
Choose Operator Connect if you are Microsoft 365-centric, want zero hardware (no Session Border Controller appliances – SBCs – or desk phones), and you value the provisioning of managed services with joint Vox-Microsoft support. It’s ideal for cloud-first migrations or when time-to-service in a week or less matters.
Typical industry use-cases include financial services (security, fraud monitoring); higher education or public sector (budget scrutiny, multi-site rollouts); retail and hospitality (high staff churn, thin IT capability across franchises).
Integrations: You could add ACS for AI call summaries and bot-to-human call hand-off.
Vox example: A Kwa-Zulu Natal university provisioned 2,400 users in days, inheriting Entra ID policies for seamless multi-factor authentication.
Direct Routing (DR)
Direct Routing allows the connection of your existing SIP trunks or PBX to Teams via a Session Border Controller (SBC) appliance. This SBC can be hosted on your premises or in your private cloud, or you can take advantage of Vox’s multi-tenanted SBCs.
With Direct Routing and your own SBC, you retain control over routing and carrier relationships, and with Vox’s shared SBCs we manage routing on your behalf.
Key Features include the following: Advanced call routing (for example failover paths), support for Survivable Branch Appliance (SBA) for local calling during internet outages, and compatibility with legacy endpoints like analogue phones or Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT.
Direct Routing is best for businesses with complex, on-premises setups needing customisation. DR setup involves more planning, as well as more IT and scripting skills, and deployment is likely to take weeks to months.
Choose Direct Routing if you need on-prem survivability (for example, SBA for internet outages). DR is well suited for complex routing or when full control over media paths is required, due to its granular control over your calling environment.
Typical industry use-cases include manufacturing and utilities organisations (often incorporating legacy DECT/analogue integrations), or logistics and healthcare, which are typically device-dependent, and where offline survivability is critical).
Integrations: You could add an SBA for offline survivability or integrate ACS for custom analytics.
Vox example: A Cape Town logistics firm retained SIP trunks while routing 80% calls via Teams, using SBAs for depots.
Azure Communication Services (ACS)
Azure Communication Services (ACS) is a developer-centric PaaS for building custom communication apps that extend Teams Phone into other IT assets. It’s not a standalone PBX but integrates for scenarios such as embedded calling in apps or AI-driven interactions.
Key Features include the following: APIs for call recording, transcription, video at 720p+, and interoperability with Teams (for example, joining Teams meetings from custom applications or support platforms).
Azure Communication Services is best for innovators embedding Voice into workflows, such as custom contact centres or mobile apps. ACS pairs well with OC/DR for enhanced features without replacing core telephony services or needs.
Choose Azure Communication Services if you’re building custom experiences (for example, Voice in CRM apps) or need extensibility beyond your standard PBX. ACS’s low-code APIs make it accessible for developers, with pay-as-you-go pricing.
Typical industry use cases include tech or consulting (embedded communications in third party applications); contact centres (CCaaS integrations); finance and healthcare (where secure, compliant bots guide incoming calls, and hand off calls to humans where complexity cannot be handled by a bot).
Integrations: Add Teams Phone for hybrid calls and Copilot for AI transcription.
Choosing the right solution for your organisation does not need to be a one-size-fits-all decision. For example, you could start with Operator Connect for 80 percent coverage, layer in Direct Routing for edge cases, and at a later stage add Azure Communication Services for innovation and automation, thus reducing rip-and-replace risks and costs.
Partner with Vox for your Business Voice Requirements
Teams Voice options empower South African businesses to future-proof their communications without necessarily overhauling existing ecosystems. Your organisation could deploy Operator Connect for effortless deployment and scale, Direct Routing for control, and ACS for innovation.
Microsoft-centric organisations in regulated or distributed verticals often see 30 to 50 percent efficiency gains from hybrid deployments, while legacy-heavy setups thrive on Direct Routing.
As your local certified partner, Vox demystifies the realities of Business Voice to match your reality. Vox will engage with you in an initial consultation that covers the following points within this practical evaluation checklist:
Infrastructure Audit to ensure highest return on current investments;
Scale and speed requirements;
Compliance and resilience needs;
Customisation requirements;
Integration path needs; and
A total cost of ownership review that factors in hidden costs.
Explore a no-obligation assessment at https://www.vox.co.za/microsoft-operator-connect/.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Operator Connect and Direct Routing?
Operator Connect is a managed service where Vox provisions calling directly into Teams with no SBC required by you. Direct Routing connects your SIP trunks or PBX to Teams via an SBC that you host, giving you more control and customisation.
Can I mix Operator Connect and Direct Routing?
Yes. Many organisations use Operator Connect for core users and Direct Routing for specific sites or legacy integrations where survivability or specialised routing is required.
Do I need on‑premises hardware for Teams Phone?
Not if you choose Operator Connect. The SBCs are hosted by Vox and each user can use either their laptop or mobile device as an endpoint.
What is Azure Communication Services (ACS) used for?
ACS is for developers building bespoke voice/video features or embedding calling into apps and CRM systems. It is not in itself a Teams calling solution, but complements OC/DR rather than replaces them.
How does survivability work if the internet fails?
Direct Routing can be paired with a Survivable Branch Appliance (SBA) to provide local onsite calling if internet connectivity is lost. Operator Connect relies on cloud availability and can be paired with hybrid designs for resilience.
How long does deployment take?
Deployments vary: Operator Connect implementations can be hours to days for typical rollouts; Direct Routing projects often take weeks to months depending on complexity.
Will Vox support compliance and fraud monitoring?
Yes. Vox provides fraud monitoring and supports emergency calling compliance. We’ll include these requirements in the assessment.
Vox partnered with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) to deliver an integrated programme of connectivity, voice and network security, demonstrating how SAHRA connectivity and SD‑WAN for heritage sites can safeguard archives, improve communication and reduce costs. SAHRA requires a modern, secure and resilient IT environment to protect national heritage records and support remote working.
Planning SAHRA’s Connectivity and SD-WAN for SA’s Heritage Sites
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture – formerly known until 2000 as the National Monuments Council – which is tasked with an overall legislative mandate to identify, assess, manage, protect and promote heritage resources in South Africa, and to protect them for future generations.
National heritage sites need to be protected and safeguarded from damage or alteration, and it’s important to prevent development that could endanger their existence. As a national agency with additional provincial authorities, SAHRA works with local communities to identify heritage resources and record their oral and living histories, as well as increase public involvement in the preservation of heritage resources.
“South Africa has a very rich heritage,” says Stephen Muller, SAHRA ICT Manager, “and SAHRA works across a number of business units – including Heritage Properties, Burial Grounds and Graves, the Built Environment and Heritage Protection – to identify and protect heritage resources in South Africa.
“We have a very valuable registry in the form of our internal archives, encompassing a vast amount of heritage documents including old papers, plans, maps, information about graves…. information from the past that it’s important to protect and preserve.
“Overall, our outlook for the future is to become significantly more digitalised, including with our registry and archives, and also as an organisation overall. The work done by SAHRA is valuable and it’s important that it’s assisted in the digital realm, to protect South Africa’s Heritage Sites in the physical realm.”
South Africa has eight World Heritage Sites, as follows: Robben Island (Western Cape), iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park in Kwa-Zulu/Natal); the Cradle of Humankind (Gauteng), Maloti Drakensberg Park (Kwa-Zulu/Natal), Mapungubwe Heritage Site (in Limpopo province, located at the border of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana), the Cape Floral Kingdom (Western Cape), the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (in the Northern Cape, along the Orange River border with Namibia) and the Vredefort Dome (Free State).
In addition, there are also several heritage sites declared by SAHRA, which include the Castle of Good Hope, the Bushmanskloof Rock Painting Landscape, the Daljosafat Cultural Landscape, the SS Mendi Memorial, the South African Astronomical Observatory, Liliesleaf Farm and the West Coast Fossil Park, among others.
SS Mendi Memorial
The Business Challenge
“It’s our intention to have a proper electronic document records management system in place so that we can get all our information, including our records and administrative systems, more digital,” explains Muller.
“We are moving forward in this regard; for example we have a YouTube channel and we use it to broadcast on pertinent issues, including a webinar in September – which is Heritage Month in South Africa – which is geared towards allowing the public to share in the conversation. I like to say that even though we’re a heritage organisation, it doesn’t mean that our technology or infrastructure needs to be heritage as well!”
In the quest to keep SAHRA’s digital processes and communications systems modern and not ‘vintage’, the organisation has carried out a significant number of implementations or upgrades in the past 10 years or so. These include such important technology elements as:
Business Fibre connectivity;
Voice and Telephony solutions;
Backup of data;
Foundational network security; and
The implementation of an SD-WAN solution.
Some of these implementations have been carried out at SAHRA’s head office in the Western Cape, and others have been at regional offices. SAHRA operates across four sites around the country. Muller clarifies that there have been some challenges previously with getting all the sites connected with fast connectivity, including the use of a slow ADSL line at one of the regional offices.
“Our concerns were around data security and service continuity, as well as site integrations that were required to interlink all our colleagues and allow them to interact and integrate with our existing systems and offices. Vox was able to address these requirements through well detailed bids,” he explains.
The Business Solution
As a government entity, SAHRA is required to follow strict bidding / tender procedures each time a new project or upgrade over a particular Rand value is required. Muller explains: “Being a government entity, we have to follow a formal public procurement process and that’s always done by a means of competitive bidding. SAHRA’s relationship with Vox began when we had to shift our existing voice solution, and then we also added in the Internet connectivity as well. Later on, we found the need to include managed firewall services and most recently we have had a requirement for an SD-WAN solution.
“On each of these occasions, Vox has submitted separate tender documentation in response to the advertised tenders. In summary, Vox has helped SAHRA to improve on our operational efficiency, including the enhancement of our remote working capabilities. Additionally, Vox has helped us to strengthen our cybersecurity posture, while also reducing infrastructure costs over time.”
Vox was the successful winner of a number of tender processes for SAHRA in recent years, as follows:
2018/2019: Hosted Digital Communication System
Fibre connectivity
Verto Hosted PBX and Yealink handsets
Uncapped Voice
Communications Manager (TMS)
Network Cabling
Chrome Air (Voice over LTE)
Number porting
2020: Poly Studio VC Solution
2021: Veeam Backup & Replication Enterprise Plus
2022: Connectivity and Voice and Network security
Primary and failover connectivity at five sites
Consists of fibre, wireless and LTE
Moved from Verto Supreme to 3CX Cloud for PBX, Unified Communication and mobility services
Uncapped Voice
Fortigate Firewall at five sites
2024: Connectivity and Voice and Network security / SD-WAN
Provision of two stand-alone internet links at four sites
Consists of fibre, wireless and LTE
Moved from Verto Supreme to 3CX Cloud for PBX, Unified Communication and mobility services
Uncapped Voice
Fortigate Firewall at five sites with SD-WAN for WAN resiliency
René Minnie, Key Account Manager at Vox, clarifies that the most recent 2024 upgrades are of particular interest and significance for SAHRA, involving upgrades to the entity’s connectivity, voice and network security. She says: “When we look at the migration from Verto Supreme to 3CX Cloud, we see that Vox is providing SAHRA with a solution that is future-proof and rich in functionality, and which allows more control. With regards to the implementation of an SD-WAN solution, it is important to note that Vox has provisioned for the ability to use both links at each site.
“As for the benefits of SD-WAN, it’s a modern networking solution that simplifies the management and operation of a wide area network (WAN) by decoupling the network hardware from its control mechanism, with key benefits including improved network performance, cost efficiency, enhanced security, simplified management, and scalability and flexibility.”
More details on the benefits of SD-WAN are as follows:
Improved Performance: SD-WAN intelligently routes traffic across the most efficient paths, reducing latency and improving application performance, especially for cloud-based services.
Cost Efficiency: SD-WAN allows businesses to use lower-cost internet connections (like broadband) alongside or instead of expensive MPLS links, significantly reducing WAN costs.
Enhanced Security: Built-in encryption, firewall capabilities and centralised security policies help protect data across all network endpoints.
Simplified Management: Centralised control makes it easier to configure, monitor and manage the network, reducing the need for manual intervention and on-site IT support.
Scalability and Flexibility: SD-WAN supports rapid deployment across multiple locations and adapts easily to changing business needs, making it ideal for growing organisations.
A Strategic Partner Towards the SAHRA IT Unit
Muller says he has been very happy with both the service and the products received from Vox overall, and enjoys an extremely positive relationship with Vox. He clarifies: “The service levels have always been consistently high, and in fact have always exceeded what we at SAHRA have requested. We also very much appreciate the scalability of the available offerings.
“You could say that Vox has essentially become a strategic partner towards the SAHRA IT unit, and as a company, its employees and divisions are very good at communicating the available offerings, both for a present requirement as well as for future possibilities and planning – I find Vox to be well-structured and transparent.”
Muller also praises the quality of Vox’s tender documents, which, he says, are unfailingly of a high quality and provide all the information – and sometimes more – than actually required.
“Usually, we look to see that the potential service providers are able to meet or even exceed our minimum requirements,” he explains. “Then we look at proven reliability and uptime, scalability, security and compliance. Cost-effectiveness plays a vital role as well, and we also look at strong support and after-sales service.
“Vox scores consistently highly across all these categories, including with excellent service and competitive pricing across all its products. The type of bid received from Vox overall is always excellent. No matter big or small, there’s always enough information. If it’s a specific brand or model mentioned, there will be a specification sheet that paints a clear picture.”
Minnie adds that the interactions with Muller and the rest of his team at SAHRA have always been most pleasant: “As a company, people across a number of divisions at Vox appreciate SAHRA’s business relationship, which is based on mutual politeness and respect. Our two companies work extremely well together, and we look forward to continuing to be of assistance to SAHRA for many years into the future,” she says.
“I believe that in Vox, SAHRA has found an excellent partner and over the years, we have met regularly and enjoyed smooth operations overall. And so if I could sum it up, Vox’s offerings are a clear commitment to a partnership with long-term value overall, because of the scalability and expansions that are offered by Vox,” concludes Muller.
What is SD‑WAN and why is it important for heritage institutions? SD‑WAN is a modern WAN architecture that intelligently routes traffic across multiple links. It improves performance, resilience and security, which is critical for institutions needing reliable access to cloud archives and remote collaboration.
Which Vox products were implemented at SAHRA? Vox implemented Business Fibre, voice platforms (Verto Hosted PBX historically and migration to 3CX Cloud), Yealink handsets, Fortigate firewalls, Veeam backup and Poly Studio VC, plus wireless/LTE failover.
How does SD‑WAN improve security? SD‑WAN supports centralised security policies, encryption of WAN links and integration with managed firewalls, reducing exposure for distributed sites and sensitive data.
Can SD‑WAN reduce costs for government agencies? Yes. By enabling the use of lower‑cost broadband and LTE alongside fibre, SD‑WAN can lower WAN expenses while maintaining performance and resilience.
How did Vox ensure compliance with SAHRA’s procurement rules? All implementations were awarded through formal competitive tenders, with Vox submitting detailed, compliant bid documents for each procurement phase.
Will SD‑WAN help with disaster recovery and backups? SD‑WAN improves connectivity resilience which supports replication and backup workflows. Combined with solutions like Veeam, it strengthens overall data protection and recovery capabilities.
Is 3CX Cloud suitable for public sector organisations? 3CX Cloud provides unified communications, mobility and scalability, making it suitable for public sector needs when paired with secure network infrastructure and managed services.
How can heritage organisations begin modernising their IT? Start with a connectivity assessment, define continuity and security requirements, and procure resilient links, firewall protection and a future‑proof voice platform. Consider a phased tendered approach similar to SAHRA’s.
Meet the sharper, savvier, and downright “smarter” way for South Africans to communicate.
Meet Smartz Solutions.
First things first: we know that business communication has radically shifted, but has your system done the same?
If you’re still running a clunky, outdated PBX system from a hidden back office (Y2K wires sold separately), chances are you’re paying more, getting less, and still not maximising your budget. And, in 2025, that’s definitely NOT Smart(z) – it’s just PBXpensive.
You see, here’s the thing; communication no longer = talking. The definition has expanded. Today, we connect, and we do so instantly via multiple touchpoints. Whether your team is in office, at home, or working from a coffee shop, the modern business needs to adapt with its people instead of holding them hostage at a fixed location.
Hence Smartz Solutions, where Vox flips the script on everything you thought you knew.
So, what’s so Smart about?
Let’s start with the obvious – it’s built for South Africans.
Loadshedding? No problem, you’re always online.
Remote/Hybrid work? Relax – it goes where you go.
Cost-efficiency? You only pay for what you DO use, and not for what you might. Maybe. Someday.
It’s no-nonsense communications, and your all-in-one solution. No drama with hardware. No expensive technicians. No maintenance mysteries. It’s simplified, affordable, always-connected comms that flex as hard as your business.
Bonus marks? Being powered by Vox means localised pricing, support, and resilience. Plus, we’re backed by years of experience (and kind of good at our job). Some might say we’ve mastered the art of keeping local businesses empowered regardless of what Eskom and SA have to say.
But what about traditional PBX?
Oh, it’s still there. And it’s definitely not dead – it’s just evolved into a better, faster, more adaptable solution.
You see, the old-school PBX environment was designed for the old country. For a world of landlines, fixed desks, and sticky notes. A good time, but also a long time ago. Smartz, on the other hand, is built for the here and now – a world of Cloud, integrated, intelligent solutions. It amalgamates a world of voice, data, and collaboration into singular unified platforms.
We’re finally seeing the dawn of something beautiful – where technology meshes with modern business needs. Smartz represents the pinnacle of this synergy; it’s a flexible, measurable, scalable solutions suitable for startups or enterprises alike.
It’s the definition of “working Smart(z), not hard”.
To be honest, if your PBX relies upon screwdrivers to “reset” them, it’s time.
In fact, it was probably time 10 years ago.
Our advice? Stop paying for outdated tech wherein the wheels fall off at the slightest bump in the road. Oh, and stop treating communications like another tedious expense. When done right, it’s your competitive edge. You see, smart business isn’t always about spending more – sometimes it’s about getting more, for less.
Check out Smartz Solutions from Vox and learn first hand why the future of business comms begins today.
By Audrey Vadival, Head of Division: Security and Value-added Services
Vox is pleased to announce the launch of its new cybersecurity division in partnership with global cybersecurity leader, Sophos.
The Vox-Sophos cybersecurity partnership expands Vox’s long-standing position as a trusted ISP into a full-service digital guardian, offering South African companies an integrated portfolio of connectivity, communication and protection solutions.
Key highlights:
Comprehensive protection: Firewalls, endpoint security, MDR, XDR and Phish Threat solutions all integrated within Vox’s managed security offering.
AI-powered defence: Proactive threat hunting, deep learning analysis, and automated response capabilities.
Integrated simplicity: Unified Sophos Central dashboard consolidates all alerts and data across third-party tools with the XDR and MDR offerings.
Security awareness training: Automated phishing simulations and targeted education to turn employees into first-line defenders.
Accessible pricing: Vox pricing and fibre/firewall bundles for South African customers
The move is a response to a growing need in the market. Cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated and frequent in South Africa, with the country remaining one of Africa’s most targeted for cybercrime.
According to the BDO Global Risk Landscape Report 2025 and Allianz Risk Barometer, companies have faced an average of 2,114 cyberattacks per company per week in 2025 – a year-on-year increase of 14%. The Sophos State of Ransomware in South Africa 2025 report put a price tag on the threat – the median ransomware demand rose from R2.8 million in 2024 to R18 million in 2025 while the median payment nearly tripled to R8.3 million.
Vox’s partnership with Sophos brings enterprise-grade cybersecurity within reach for local companies of all sizes. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) through to corporates can benefit from a portfolio of solutions designed to combine proactive threat hunting with round-the-clock monitoring and simplified management.
We’re connecting and protecting companies. Our partnership with Sophos gives us the ability to create world-class security solutions which leverage next-generation protection capabilities like AI within a local, managed services model that makes high-end protection both accessible and affordable.
Vox’s new cybersecurity arm forms part of our broader strategy to evolve from a pure connectivity and communications provider into a holistic managed service and security partner. The focus is simple – secure the connection, secure the data, protect customers – and it builds on the foundation of trust Vox has already built with our growing customer base.
Our customers already trust us with their communications and connectivity, and it makes sense to extend that trust into cybersecurity. Sophos has a robust and relevant solution portfolio that ensures we can deliver a synchronised security stack that protects every part of the digital journey, from the connection to the user.
The value proposition within the partnership rests in Vox’s ability to combine advanced technology with real-world simplicity. One dashboard, one licence and one provider, with multiple solutions integrated smoothly through Sophos Central. Companies can monitor and respond to threats rapidly with a single, unified view.
Vox will be offering a suite of five Sophos products which are designed to work together to prevent, detect and respond to modern threats.
The Sophos XGS Series firewall, launched earlier this year, offers AI-powered threat prevention and zero-day defence, while Sophos Intercept X combines deep learning AI and anti-ransomware for rapid threat detection and defence.
Sophos MDR delivers 24/7 expert-led security as a service with proactive threat hunting and rapid incident response. Sophos XDR provides visibility across all critical attack surfaces, including third party tools, while Sophos Phish Threat helps you stay ahead and prevent expensive mistakes by proactively educating your workforce
According to Pieter Nel, Sales Director SADC at Sophos South Africa: “The threat landscape in South Africa continues to intensify, and organisations are looking for a partner that can simplify cybersecurity while still delivering enterprise-grade protection.
“Our partnership with Vox brings the full strength of Sophos’ MDR, XDR and AI-driven technologies directly into a locally managed service model, making advanced cyber defence accessible to businesses of all sizes. Together, we are ensuring South African organisations can detect and stop ransomware and other cyberattacks before they cause disruption or financial damage.”
Vox, a Gold Partner for Sophos, offers highly competitive pricing and flexible security bundles which combine fibre and firewall protection in one accessible package. Starting from October 2025 with the ‘Securing Your Connectivity’ promotion, Vox is making enterprise-level security affordable to South African companies while providing local support and expertise.
Businesses are dealing with complicated threats and sophisticated attacks and are at constant risk, so our mission is making their lives easier. You don’t need a large team or multiple IT vendors, just one partner with the right security tools, and that’s us.
To learn how the Vox Sophos cybersecurity partnership can protect your business, contact Vox for a tailored security assessment and a quote for managed security services and fibre/firewall bundles.
Recommended next steps for businesses
Assess current exposure: Identify critical assets and where detection blind spots exist.
Consider a managed approach: If you lack in-house security resource, managed XDR/MDR can significantly reduce risk.
Combine connectivity and security: Explore Vox’s firewall and fibre bundles for simplified billing and integrated support.
Train staff: Add security awareness training to reduce phishing and social engineering risk.
FAQs
What is the Vox Sophos cybersecurity partnership? The Vox Sophos cybersecurity partnership is a local managed security service combining Vox connectivity with Sophos enterprise-grade tools (XGS firewall, Intercept X, MDR, XDR and Phish Threat) to protect South African businesses.
What cybersecurity solutions are included in Vox’s offering? Vox offers Sophos XGS firewalls, Intercept X endpoint protection, Sophos MDR (24/7 monitoring & response), Sophos XDR (cross-surface visibility) and Phish Threat security awareness training, all managed via the Sophos Central dashboard.
Who should consider Vox managed security services? SMEs through to large corporates that want simplified, enterprise-grade protection—organisations without large in‑house security teams, or those seeking 24/7 threat hunting, AI-driven detection and consolidated management.
How do I get started or request a quote? Contact Vox’s security team for a tailored security assessment and pricing. Vox offers competitive fibre and firewall bundles (including the “Securing Your Connectivity” promotion from October 2025) with local support and implementation.
Get Business Calling that (Actually) Works with Vox Voice
Still stuck with clunky PBX systems, laggy VoIP calls or overpriced legacy telcos? Vox Voice gives businesses a cleaner, modern way to handle calls — across Teams, cloud PBX, SIP, mobile extensions and hosted voice platforms — without the installation drama, lock-ins or hardware headaches.
Whether you’re running a call centre, a multi-branch office or a lean remote team, Vox gives you one voice platform that scales, integrates and just works.
First off – what is Vox Voice?
Vox Voice is a business-grade calling solution that replaces outdated phone systems with cloud-based voice, Teams integration, SIP trunks, hosted PBX and call centre tools — all backed by Vox’s national network and support.
Why Businesses Choose Vox Voice
1. Ditch the Hardware, Keep the Numbers
No PBX boxes. No technicians crawling in ceilings. Vox migrates your voice to the cloud and keeps your existing numbers live — instantly.
2. Teams Calling, Sorted
Already using Microsoft Teams? Vox plugs PSTN calling straight into your Teams setup via Operator Connect or Direct Routing — no third-party hacks.
3. Hosted PBX with Real Features
Auto attendants, call routing, hunt groups, extensions, voicemail-to-email, call recording — all managed from one dashboard. No per-desk hardware.
4. SIP Trunks for Existing Systems
If you’ve already invested in a PBX, Vox powers it with carrier-grade SIP. More calls, less spend, no dependency on outdated copper lines.
5. Call Centre Ready
Need agent dashboards, call queues, reporting or monitoring? Vox Voice scales from 5 users to 500 without complex deployments.
6. National Footprint, Real Support
Local engineers, 24/7 support and a network built for uptime. Not some white-label import with a ticket backlog.
Who Vox Voice Is Built For
Businesses dumping copper, ISDN or legacy PBX
Companies moving to Microsoft Teams voice
SMEs wanting cloud PBX without CapEx
Multi-branch or hybrid workforces
Call centres needing scalable seats
Enterprises tired of Telkom dependencies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I move my existing business number to Vox Voice? Yes — Vox ports geographic and non-geographic numbers with zero downtime.
Q: Do I need hardware or on-site PBX equipment? No. Hosted PBX and Teams calling run in the cloud. SIP can work with your current system if needed.
Q: Does Vox Voice support remote and hybrid staff? Yes — extensions work from mobile, desktop, Teams, softphone or desk phones.
Q: Is call recording and reporting included? Available as part of the hosted PBX or call centre add-ons.
Q: Can I integrate voice with Teams, CRM or call centre tools? Yes — Vox supports Teams integration, SIP connectivity, and API-based add-ons.
Old phone systems waste money and stall productivity. Vox Voice gives you modern calling over a network built for business — with Teams, PBX, SIP and hosted voice options that scale without infrastructure, capex or chaos.
Upgrade your business calling — without replacing your entire phone system. Talk to Vox about cloud voice, Teams calling or SIP migration today.
