What do Hybrid Workspaces mean for the Future of FTTB?

Posted on 23 July 2021 by Suhail Dinat

Two years ago, “I’m working from home” meant a phone call to HR. Now, it’s an instruction.

Truth be told, the conventional office space has been gradually phased out worldwide for a good few years. People talk about Google and their nap pods, slides instead of stairs, open plan stations and collaborative, unregulated work environment as if it’s the adult Disneyland but, truth be told, there are even agencies in South Africa who’ve implemented gamification in their offices.

The reasoning behind this is that we’ve seen a shift in mindset and increased realisation that conventional ‘desk-and-cubicle’ workspaces, while cost-effective, aren’t conducive to motivated employees or relaxed state of mind. As such, the pandemic-accelerated process of redefining the way employees should work has been an eye opener to say the least.

Enter the Hybrid Workspace, today’s topic of discussion.

Lockdown completely scrapped the rulebook to show us that what we thought was ‘impossible’ was actually pretty flexible.

‘I can’t work if I’m not at a desk, it’s impossible’

‘I can’t stay at home, it’s impossible’

‘I can’t just sit at my desk working without talking to people, it’s impossible’.

Fast-forward a few months and we’ve all had to reassess what the word ‘impossible’ really meant, and re-evaluate when, where and how our employees should work.

Initially, Work from Home was the phrase of the day, if not out of necessity more than anything else. As regulations and fear around the virus has eased, however, we’ve seen a more flexible, Hybrid work model which combines the best of both worlds and is sure to drive the next wave of office regulations.

Said Hybrid model amalgamates stay at home principles with occasional, sometimes necessity-only in person interactions. It’s driven by the Internet and digitisation, but rather than negating the entire value of conventional office spaces entirely, has simply allowed its purpose to evolve.

True, remote working isn’t a fit for everyone, but it’s here to stay, and companies will need to maintain flexi-environments for at least the foreseeable future. There’s substance in the Data as well, as a recent SMB Group Study has indicated the following insights:

47% of South African businesses are investing in technology to support remote working
51% have created long-term strategies to incorporate more flexible workstyles
59% of SME’s have expanded their WFH programs to become more inclusive

For better or worse (well, we say for better) it’s here to stay. And, with a spread-out workforce (employees sometimes clock in from different cities or countries), the focus is no longer “how will we do it?” but facilitating an inclusive environment. This environment needs to enable collaboration yet provide quality remote access to all necessary Data and tools while meeting deliverables. And, as vital as technology is in the process, the incorrect platforms could prove to be a hindrance rather than your greatest asset.

Here’s an outline of all the areas you need to focus on, and how FTTB can play a role in making it easier.

A fluctuating office environment means your Network needs to be flexible.

At any given time, your office demands may be minimal or operating at capacity. Sure, more often than not you should be able to survive unscathed, but on days where people come in, you can expect higher demand and strain on your bandwidth.

But, you ask, it managed fine before, what’s the issue now? Well, you need to facilitate that just because your staff is in, doesn’t mean everyone else is. Take Vox, for example, with over 1700 employees nationwide. A team such as Marketing may come in for the day, but everyone they communicate with both internally and externally still needs to connect remotely. As such, the bandwidth is tested, as the majority of meetings previously held in person now need to be done remotely.

This means increased video demand, increased web browsing and, of course, more strain on your Fibre. Ever tried browsing while the kids are playing Call of Duty (or vice versa)? You’d know that a standard FTTH package starts lagging at 3 users, so imagine what a dedicated team of constantly connected professionals can do to a lower end one?

Users on private connections can pose a security threat.

Ever wondered why we’re seeing an increased amount of phishing attacks and ransomware headlines? It’s not because the virus gives you hacking powers (although that might explain why Bill Gates is in the spotlight…).

Employee and company Data are now at increased risk, as accessing content remotely can sometimes happen on unsecure networks. Plus, it’s significantly easier to hack into ‘John Smith’s Home Wi-Fi’ than it would be to even go near our Vox Firewall (we know what we’re doing, in fact, we’re experts in the field). As such, you need to ensure that your Fibre connection and the resultant security are world-class and leave no room for compromise.

You also need to factor in that many remote workspaces make use of a VPN, which in turn presents its own share of risks. With an influx of employees dialling in remotely, the amount of secure VPN connections will ultimately have an impact on your brands vulnerability online.

You’ll need to get your head out the Clouds.

We’re big advocates for Cloud solutions, and with good reason. You already know the drill and how much it makes life simpler to be able to access your Data from anywhere, but did you factor in that performance can be impacted by speed and reliability?

Your Cloud tools and related applications can really only be as good as the network they’re delivered from. More so, many brands are installing new services which need to be integrated effectively and managed correctly. Much like your head office needs to be running properly in order for franchisees to benefit, your business network needs to be on point to deliver the resources required effectively.

You’re probably past the stage where you’re reliant to adopt a Hybrid Space (it’s about time!), but the only way to keep your employees motivated and productive is through adequate support. Your Business Fibre needs to be on point in order for your team to function the way it should, which is why you can’t take any chances when it comes to your network.

Let’s Talk Cloud with Vox Fibre

Posted on 22 July 2021 by Suhail Dinat

Recent events have put our business needs into perspective.

Be it a shift in priorities as brands migrate into an almost entirely virtual workspace, or an added emphasis on security due to the increased risk of both physical and remote attacks, the brands of today can no longer rely on the solutions of yesterday.

We find ourselves at a crossroads, one wherein a failure to adapt can drastically impede our business moving forward. Cyber threats are on the rise, the new hybrid working world has created a need to access your information on-the-go and, most of all, the conventional concepts of hard storage and in-person server solutions now present more risks than solutions.

We know the challenges that the modern organisation faces on all fronts, but the question we’re asking is “what can we do about it?”

The answer, you may be surprised to know, lays in the Clouds (or should we say Cloud?)

Before we get into it, let’s look at the numbers:

Since the onset of Covid-19, the Cloud computing industry has skyrocketed, seeing an upward trajectory with regards to adoption, infrastructure, spend and development.
Studies suggest that by the year 2025, there will be over 100 zettabytes (spoiler: that’s a LOT more than your server room can handle) of information stored in the Cloud.
As of 2020, the market value of the Cloud computing industry is estimated at around $371.4 billion.
Around 48% of businesses worldwide choose to store their most important classified Data in the Cloud.
The average person uses at least 36 Cloud-related services every single day (where do you think your Facebook recommendations and Gmail history are stored?)

All the above indicates a very simple truth: Cloud Computing is on the rise, and with good reason. So much so, in fact, that 80% of companies who’ve adopted a strategy denote an almost instant positive effect on their business and see massive improvements within the first few months. SME’s in particular have noted that a third-party platform can prove 40% more cost-effective than traditional in-house systems, while a resounding 94% of brands worldwide have seen significant online security improvements since making the jump.

The numbers don’t lie. Not only is the technology here to say, but the Data indicates that brands who have made the switch have benefitted tremendously from doing so.

Sadly, there are numerous concerns (and myths) when it comes to all things Cloud (which we’ve also touched on here) that are factually incorrect. Any new technology faces its share of detractors – remember the whole WhatsApp and Telegram debacle? However, the improvements and testimonials of major industry leaders who attest to the security, efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness of adopting the new normal are all indicative of the validity (or lack thereof) of these theories.

The reality is that in most cases, the misconceptions are actually polar opposites from what’s actually true. Take security, for example. Many believe that because your Data is stored off-site where you can’t see it, it becomes vulnerable and an easy target for Cyber Criminals. However, the research indicates that at least 95% of Cloud Security failures can actually be traced back to an error on the end users’ side. ISP’s stake their reputation (and in turn their livelihood) on the reliability of their services, and a breach in firewalls which exposes customer Data can often prove fatal to an industry standing. Couple this with the now mandatory protocols outlined in the new POPIA act, and you have a watertight recipe for an almost guaranteed focus on protecting your Data.

True, many brands are hesitant to get on board due to the aforementioned misconceptions, but an unbiased view of our redefined working world and the challenges physical servers face tell us that it’s the only natural solution – and it wouldn’t be so were it not worth the hassle. Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, YouTube and even Google were some of the earliest adopters of Cloud technology, and the heights to which their brands have soared should serve only to reinforce our vote of confidence.

The sad reality is that, in today’s day and age, a compromise on your Digital Security can be the endgame for your brand. Furthermore, with employees being in a constant state of flux and the workspace of tomorrow guaranteed to be a hybrid one, you need a solution that allows your Data to be easily accessible from anywhere, anytime. Were it not for Cloud solutions, many brands (including our own) would not have survived this difficult lockdown period. However, instead of reeling from the damage, the adoption of said migration allowed us to kick off from day one and our employees to be productive no matter where they resided.

Today’s brand challenges require modern solutions – solutions which facilitate for a rapidly changing work environment and the difficulties we encounter. Truth be told, your brand is already worried about so much that an added stress is the last thing you need. However, with a Cloud migration eliminating the fear of Data loss, theft, storage and expenses, you can keep your eyes on the prize while our tech guys keep their heads in the Cloud.

The Cloud is Calling

Posted on 21 July 2021 by Guin Davies

Estimated Reading Time: 2 Minutes 46 Seconds

Streamline your communications, cut down on costs and enjoy the flexibility and scalability that only the cloud can offer with 3CX Cloud.

It might sound like a pitch for a product ‘as seen on TV’ but cloud PBX (Private Branch Exchange) offers companies so much more than the ability to cut through cans without blunting their steak knives.

With a cloud-hosted PBX, not only will they be able to enjoy all the benefits of a Unified Communications solution (we’re talking voice, web conferencing, chat and content sharing in one) wherever their employees happen to be working from, it also means cutting down on huge expenses when it comes to hardware and specialised IT maintenance too.

Cut Down on Costs

Of all the benefits cloud computing offers businesses, avoiding large sums of capital outlay must be one of the best. You don’t have to worry about buying and installing new hardware with cloud PBX as everything is hosted in secure, off-site data centres, monitored and controlled by a central team of experts.

This means you can wave goodbye to space-hogging servers filled with masses of cables and complicated switches while still enjoying the functionality of your traditional PBX solution, and then some, as cloud PBX runs through your Internet connection. Desk phones are also an optional extra as the solution operates through smartphones and PCs with ease, which all adds up to an extremely low total cost of ownership.

As the solution is hosted off-site, set up is incredibly easy on your end and all upgrades and additional features are added to your phone system immediately without you having to lift a finger – not even the one you use to dial.

Besides all the above, by hosting your PBX solution off-site, you won’t have to worry about power outages at home or the office interrupting your business calls as the off-site data centres offer full redundancy. This also means cutting down on the costs for backup power solutions of your own to keep those servers running.

Pay as you Grow

A communications solution simplified, cloud PBX really shines when it comes to offering the flexibility for companies to literally communicate from wherever they happen to be working from – be it at the office, at home or on the road – and the scalability of adding or removing users with little to no fuss in no time.

We couldn’t be more excited about our 3CX Cloud offering, which is broken down into three separate packages, all with unlimited users, jam-packed with features and billed according to the amount of simultaneous calls your company will need to make – and by that we mean the amount of incoming, outgoing and internal calls your company makes at the same time. Did we mention we offer the Standard Edition 3CX licence for free for the first year? Because we do.

Our 3CX Cloud offerings are tiered according to the Standard, Professional and Enterprise Editions to suit your specific needs and the size of your company. Each Edition is customisable based on the number of your simultaneous calls, fully managed by Vox and connects to the Vox network to allow you to enjoy the most competitive, industry-leading voice rates for additional savings. If you need more functionality, an upgrade is a simple call away.

When it comes down to it, cloud PBX is an absolute no-brainer.

Why Game with Vox?

Posted on 20 July 2021 by Suhail Dinat

By now, you’re probably tired of all the reasons you should love gaming.

You’ve likely read about it more than Uncle Cyril’s ever-changing lockdown regulations. It’s fun, it’s a means of escapism and it’s not just for kids- we get it.

Look, we’re not saying that a new console will cure the blues, but we are saying that blowing off some steam is an essential part of dealing with today’s external world. We speak from personal experience when we say that while the concept of gamers may scream spotted pre-teens and Fortnite, the reality is a mix of countries, ages and demographics combining in one of the few truly unbiased, free-to-join examples of multi-culturalism in the world.

However, the economic impact of the world we live in has created a similarly universal need to tighten belts and pinch rand and cents. In other words, outright purchasing a console is, to many, an unattainable dream at this stage.

But does that need to be true?

Vox’s rental model aims to eradicate this issue altogether and make the possibility of gaming a reality for everyone. You don’t have to put out a massive capital outlay to partake in fun and relaxation. Gone are the days of kids wishing they had what their friends do or feeling left out on the playground as everyone talks about new releases.

With our Xbox Rental options, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg buying something you only use occasionally. Instead, you can put that money to better use, settling only for a small monthly fee until you’re ready to upgrade, renew or move on to something else.

The magic of gaming is that anyone can enjoy it.

Guys, girls, parents, even grandparents- there’s no age limit to who can have fun. With the Vox rental model, there’s no stressing about purchasing either. Just press play and you’re good to go.

It’s that simple- but isn’t that what gaming is all about?

A common misconception, however, is that gaming is only for “serious” gamers. The words “noob” and tales of pro-players destroying all challengers are greatly exaggerated. Yes, there is a competitive element should you wish to partake in it, but gaming has never lost its purity in that all it takes to enjoy is a console, the right game, and some free time. Young, old, it’s all good- pick up and play is a thing of the present.

And, for those of you who know you’ll be greeted with eyerolls at the suggestion of a new console, here’s some facts to back up your motivation:

Studies have shown that not only do action games enhance attention spans, they assist with language learning and decision making.
Gaming in general has been scientifically proven to overcome bias and cognitive dissonance.
Again, studies have shown that regular gameplay can improve overall mental health and have an uplifting effect on moods.
More studies (people have really investigated this) indicate that gaming has a positive impact on both cognitive and social skills.
Gaming has also been proven to assist with the following:
- Foundation Skills: achievement drive, self-awareness, critical thinking and self-confidence.
- Performance Skills: Perceptual, Motor, Attentional and Timing.
- Problem Solving: Personal Development, Identity, Creativity, EQ and Self-Esteem.
- Decision Making: Team Skills, Leadership, Communication, Cohesion and People Management.

The question we haven’t asked, however, is why do it with Vox? Well, there are actually a multitude of reasons we’ve been too humble to tell you about (until now, that is) …

Let’s start with Latency, Optimised Network Design and Peering Links:

Simply put, Latency impacts the speed at which your game responds to your inputs. If you’ve ever wondered how pressing the X button makes an Internet connected feature respond, pay attention (we promise, it’s a lot more interesting than you think).

Your gaming software signals your input to the server via networking packets, which must travel through an Internet connection provided by an ISP. Before we put you to sleep, this basically means that when your response time is lowered (also known as the “Ping”), the gameplay becomes smoother and more responsive. Perfect for an FPS, where a split second of lag or game jitter can be the difference between victory and a controller flying through a window.

We’re not in the business of window repair, but our international backbone network and Internet peering was delivered specifically with this in mind. In 2019, we added the South American Cable System to the USA for the lowest latency and best gaming experience to main servers. Why should we care about South America, you ask?

Well, we appreciate that many of our customers will be using servers abroad. Our conservative strategy is designed to ensure these links never run into congestion. In simple English, your gameplay will be smoother, more reliable and involve less lag, all thanks to low Latency.

Gaming Quality of Service on Last Mile:

We all know the pain of trying to concentrate on an online game while someone else in the house hogs the Wi-Fi. Aside from the noise and constant shouts of “are you on the Internet?”, both you and the other party are almost guaranteed to experience delays, frustration and, ultimately, a vastly inferior connectivity experience.

Or are you? Through configuration with our fully managed MikroTik routers, we’ve implemented the ability to gain optimal speeds and connectivity via Vox FTTH service for Gaming.

In English? You can separate your gaming and streaming, allowing everyone to live their lives in complete harmony. While the rest of your household is free to Netflix and chill while you enjoy unaffected gameplay. This is achieved by foregoing a small portion of your link to gaming traffic. We will allocate 1Mbps on a 50Mbps line or 2Mbps on a link greater than 50Mpbs. This will ensure that your gaming is unaffected by any other household Internet traffic.

Bundled Offerings and Discounted Prices

You are now able to save on your Xbox Series X or S console rental and your Vox Fibre to the home subscription by selecting a bundled solution that matches your gaming needs. Starting from only R1,293pm* you can rent an Xbox console and get a 50/50 uncapped, low latency Fibre line for uninterrupted gaming. (Available speeds and pricing dependent on feasible Fibre network operator in your area.)

Get the most out of your gaming time with a 24-month Xbox and Vox Fibre bundle rental:

A fully managed service for the term for your Xbox console rental.
Flexible end-term options to upgrade your console to the then current version.
Low latency Network Design with transit routes throughout South Africa, North America, South America, Europe and the rest of the World.

Vox UPS

We all know the drill.

You’re working or playing from home and load shedding strikes. Although it is gone for now; we know that before you blink your eyes – it’s back and you’re left sitting in the dark. Not only are your unsaved documents and gaming progress probably lost and your momentum killed, but productivity and entertainment drops to level zero.

We’ve all been there, and we’ve felt your pain. With working from home being the new normal and online gaming requiring connectivity, we’re all heavily reliant on technology such as routers, laptops, mobile phones, consoles and printers staying online for us to keep our fingers on the pulse.

Fear not, because we offer two affordable UPS models designed specifically for the consumer market. Each one will allow you to stay connected when the power goes down, and features the following benefits:

Up to four hours of uptime
Automatic activation
Small and compact devices
Plug and play installation
24/7 support

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg, it’s a beginning of a journey with Vox as your technology provider. The saying goes that a journey starts with a single step and we have a range of product offering for home and office. All you have to do is click on over to www.vox.co.za and take the first step into a world of endless possibilities.

The Perks of Being a Pensioner

Posted on 13 July 2021 by Suhail Dinat

When we were kids, most of us couldn’t wait to get older.

Whether it was being fed up with school, an eagerness to flash your (real) ID at a bouncer while pretending to be outraged, the ability to drive or, let’s face it, for most of us the appeal of the legal drinking age, many of us spent some portion of our childhood wishing we were old enough.

Somewhere along the line, however, that changed. Maybe it was the onset of wrinkles or hairlines receding faster than Chad Le Clos in a kiddy pool. Maybe it was the first night out with friends where you couldn’t wake up, get into track pants and carry on like everything was normal. Maybe it was a belly straight out of a Pillsbury ad or that “crrr” in your back as you bent down to tie your shoe. Or maybe it was the day you realised you have a favourite Checkers, a Tupperware you’re emotionally attached to and the latest ‘hit’ single was just a man screaming in tongues about money, cars and um, twerking?

Sure, there are a wealth of superficial benefits. You get significantly better parking and nobody asks when you’re getting married, for starters, while you’re never expected to stack up chairs after a wedding or carry the groceries out the car. You get the best seat in the house wherever you go, discounts on quite a lot, and even taxi drivers hoot less when you cut into their lane.

For many of us, our bodies may be a bit slower and the grey in our hair (what’s left of it at least) a little more pronounced, but we feel like we’re at our mental peak. We’re wiser, wittier and have seen and done it all, so what’s the deal with getting older, you ask?

Well, maybe it’s not getting older that’s the problem, but rather the world not understanding just how cool it is to be a pensioner.

For starters, research suggests that people tend to get happier as they age. It’s no surprise, really, because from age 16 upwards most of our lives are dictated by image, peer pressure, financial uncertainty, unstable relationships and, of course, Keeping up with the Kardashians – which is enough to make any generation fear for the future.

As you get older, you become more comfortable both internally and with your surroundings. Your relationships are generally deeper rooted and more meaningful, you’ve likely settled into an emotional and financial comfort zone and better understand who you are as a person. Then there’s retirement (no early mornings, angry bosses or deadlines on the daily), emotional maturity (well, this may start a tiny bit later if you’re a guy), reduced taxes (just for once, Uncle Sam takes a break) and, of course, the luxury of quality time with your kids and (hopefully) grandkids to keep you going.

Our elderly are the pinnacles of our society and can pass on invaluable life skills, lessons and advice. And no, they’re not cool despite being old, but rather because of it.

It’s not all mush and tender loving care, however. We know plenty a feisty one who hasn’t simmered down with age. In fact, they’d tell you in no uncertain terms where they’d like to put their walking stick if you so much as inferred they’re worthy of sympathy. And don’t get us started on trying to explain to them that they’re getting older. You’ll likely hear a few outdated, but no less impactful, choice words guaranteed to make even the most hardened sailor blush. The weird thing, however, is they get away with it because they’re charming – just don’t tell them that.

You may have noticed, but we’re passionate about our senior citizens.

Studies have actually indicated a longer life expectancy than ever thanks to better living conditions, improved health care and easier access to medication. While this thankfully means more senior citizens to know, love and appreciate, the reality is that they’re not just there to appreciate from a distance. Sadly, many of us only understand the magnitude of growing older when the first signs start to creep into our own lives, but with the natural ageing process comes certain limitations and the risk of serious injury.

However, just as we’d never treat all kids the same, we shouldn’t assume that everyone past a certain age requires full time attention and personal care. Many of our beloved senior citizens are capable enough to live fully functional and independent lives or are not quite at the stage where their complete independence needs to be taken away from them. With this in mind, we’ve introduced Vox I.C.E, the first of it’s kind monitoring system created for keeping a watchful eye from a distance. You can read all you need to about the product here, but in a nutshell, it allows you to track and respond to any deviations within a single person’s residence. The sensors record their normal behavioural patterns and notify you should any changes in routine occur, allowing you to almost immediately know when something is wrong.

We really, really love our elderly, which is why we want them to enjoy the fruits of their labour well into their old age. Who, if not them, is going to make inappropriate jokes in front of your parents or slip you a R100 when nobody is looking? With Vox I.C.E, we don’t need to take away all their freedom prematurely, but rather allow them to live normal and free lives while resting easy knowing all is well.

And that’s all anyone can ask for, is it not?

How Wi-Fi 6 Will Create Even Smarter Homes

Posted on 8 July 2021 by Guin Davies

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes 25 Seconds

Our Wi-Fi routers have been given a major upgrade and it’s the start of bigger things to come. Get ready for the Wi-Fi revolution.

We’re talking faster speeds, way less congestion and stronger coverage overall – a router that allows our home networks to actually deal with all the connected devices we just have to have as human beings living in the 21^st century. It’s the dream. And now it’s real.

It’s better in almost every way

The buzz about Wi-Fi 6 and how it would change our user experience for the better first started in 2019, but it’s only really coming into its own now that Wi-Fi 6 capable routers and devices have started making their way into the market. The timing is spot on, especially with most of us living and working from home.

Honestly speaking, the routers we all still use were only designed to communicate with a limited number of devices at once. This hasn’t stopped us from trying to add more users and devices into the mix, which is clearly taking a toll on our connectivity and bandwidth.

Multiple new technologies combine to make Wi-Fi 6 the wonder that it is. One not only capable of doubling your throughput, but also the number of devices you’ll be able to add to your network at any given time.

Imagine going to a party with 40 people and being able to hold a conversation with every person there at once. That’s Wi-Fi 6 – it’s the life of the party.

Sweating about streaming your new must-watch series while your teen is online gaming? Those days are over. What about conference calls clashing with your kid’s online class? No problems there either. It’s also smart enough to recognise which of your devices are furthest away from an access point and in need of stronger signals to allocate bandwidth accordingly.

More is more! Finally

A smart home might sound like something out of the Jetsons, but it won’t be long before we’re all enjoying the life-enhancing capabilities of IoT (Internet of Things) to various degrees.

Whether it’s Wi-Fi security cameras, smart lighting, smart locks on our front doors, Wi-Fi enabled kitchen appliances or all of the above – soon we’ll all be able to turn our ovens and lights on and off via app, check to see if we really have remembered to lock our front door or even see who’s at the front door without getting up from the couch. How about a fridge that sends you updates if the milk is running low or about to expire? We can have it all.

But… the more connected devices we add, the more robust our home network needs to be to cope with this demand. And Wi-Fi 6 is one of the first steps in preparing to shoulder that burden.

If you’re looking to create a seamless Wi-Fi 6 network with ease, we’ve got the perfect solution. Our TP-Link Deco X20 mesh units are Wi-Fi 6 capable, which means not only do they offer faster connection speeds on both frequency bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz) but, like our other mesh units, they also connect seamlessly with one another to blanket your home in Wi-Fi for total convenience.

Wi-Fi 6 also brings enhanced security protocols with the introduction of WPA3 encryption and our TP-Link Deco X20 units are no exception. Your passwords will be even more difficult for hackers to crack, ensuring your data remains fully protected.

As with all our TP-Link devices, you’ll also be able to control your Wi-Fi network from the palm of your hand, including adding parental controls and custom user profiles, via the Deco app.

Wi-Fi 6 routers are backward compatible, so you don’t have to worry if you haven’t upgraded any of your devices, like your laptop, smartphone or gaming console just yet. You might not enjoy Wi-Fi 6 to it’s fullest, but if your network is overloaded as it is, you’ll definitely start feeling the benefits right away with your router upgrade, taking comfort in the fact that your future-proof Wi-Fi network is ready and waiting for your smart home living to begin.

The future is now.

You’re Spoilt For Choice With Our LTE Deals

Posted on 6 July 2021 by Guin Davies

Shop the latest LTE Deals

Looking to connect in a hurry? Our Fixed LTE-A is the Internet superhero and reliable sidekick you never knew you always needed.

When it comes to connectivity solutions, there are few options as flexible and ready to meet your needs as Fixed LTE-A. It’s fast. It’s widely available. And, best of all, it doesn’t require installation.

The reasons to love LTE are endless. Guess what? That list is growing by the day – but we’ve narrowed down our top three.

It’s almost everywhere

These days, cell towers are almost everywhere you look – yes, even when they’re masquerading as poorly disguised palm trees – and this means the odds are absolutely in your favour when it comes to checking for your neighbourhood’s LTE-A compatibility.

There are two types of LTE, and we back Fixed LTE-A. Because it’s fixed, you won’t be able to pack up your SIM and router and take it on holiday, you’ll only be able to use it at home. What you might sacrifice in mobility, you more than make up for in user experience.

Once you plug in, your Fixed LTE-A SIM automatically locks with the closest cell towers to offer you the fastest speeds and most reliable connection. You’ll be sorted for basically everything – including streaming in HD. Welcome to the Internet.

It’s quite fast, actually

Have we mentioned speed? Okay, great, let’s dive in.

There are a couple of factors that can affect your network – like your distance from the nearest cell tower, user congestion and, yes, the weather, but more often than not, you’ll be treated to pretty fast speeds.

You’re looking at up to 150Mbps – which is enough to cover those Netflix binge sessions or work-related video calls without worrying about buffering or freezing in any unflattering screengrab-worthy moments.

It’s budget friendly

We have three different Fixed LTE-A deals to choose from as well as a wide range of Anytime Data packages. Meaning you can enjoy your data whenever you like – whether you’re a night owl, morning person or none of the above. It’s your data. Use it your way.

If you happen to have any data leftover, it rolls over to the following month. If you run short, Top Up packages are available and any unused data left from that rolls over for use the following month too.

There’s no need to panic if you choose a data package that doesn’t quite cut it, either. Just upgrade to a higher package the following month. We’re always just a phone call or email away – especially when it comes to offering the best LTE deals.

Give Yourself a Boost: What to do When There’s No Signal

Posted on 2 July 2021 by Suhail Dinat

What’s worse than not having signal?

If you’re like us, it’s having Internet that doesn’t work. See, we can learn to live with the load shedding and Amish life, but to have the promise of that sweet, sweet connection only to see it snatched away – we wish that little jumping dinosaur really was extinct.

And don’t get us started on dropped calls, especially when running a business from home. Sure, a phone that can’t connect is expected during hiking trips in the ‘Berg, but shouting “hello, hello” into the ear of your CEO at 1pm on a Wednesday is far from ideal.

Both are frustrating in equal measure. But what can you do about it? Well, you actually have a few options. You can either:

Turn it on and off again for the next hour (or go on and off Airplane Mode. We see you).
Scream, shout and let it all out.
Read the rest of this article to find out a better means of staying sane during these tough times.

First and foremost, let’s unpack all the reasons your signal from both the Cell and Wi-Fi ends could possibly be saying “nope, not today”.

Let’s start with Internet:

Routers are not meant to stay in the attic. Or, as cool as they look next to your PC, if there’s five walls, three stories and a very large sheet of plywood (hey, we’ve seen it happen) between this tiny little device and your master bedroom, chances are your Netflix will be more of a “Nah-flix”. Building materials, distance and obstructions all interfere with the strength of your connection which, in bigger homes with multiple users, can lead to quite a few screams of frustration.

You also need to consider that certain equipment can cause interference. This includes microwaves, power lines, baby monitors, cordless phones and satellite receivers. Plus, if you’ve got 4 smartphones, 3 PC’s a tablet and a Playstation connected to one router, you can expect a lot of lag, very slow loading speeds and a long, tumultuous relationship with that spinning wheel that comes when things are buffering.

All-in-all, as much as we’d love to sell every house on more than one FTTH package, the honest truth is that unless you’re mining Bitcoin (in which case, give us a call), one router with the right package should be sufficient. The difficulty comes in navigating the strength of your signal which, thankfully, is very easily circumvented – but bear with us, we’ll get there soon enough.

Now, let’s take a detour to Cell Signal:

Poor Cell Signal is actually a very common problem – and not just in Kuvukiland. An often-seen problem in many homes is a home, office or home office with zero signal bars, wherein even basic functions like making calls becomes an exercise in patience.

Your Cell Signal can actually be affected by many of the same factors as connectivity, with one major difference. In the case of your phone, there’s no router to move around, turn on and off and smash with a closed fist until it breaks and gets you in the dog box. Your reception is actually dependent on cell towers, meaning factors such as geographical distance, localised poor coverage and destructive interference all play a role in you not being able to hear your sweet nothings on the phone.

Both can be equally frustrating, but we wouldn’t be Vox if we focused on problems without solutions.

Our Wi-Fi Home Mesh (of course there was a pitch coming) was designed purely to save family peace and expand Wi-Fi coverage. Not only does it say goodbye to Dead Zones for good (the signal, that is, we can’t fix your teenagers’ expression), it also ensures quality, high-speed Internet evenly distributed through every corner of the home.

Browse on the can or stream on the roof. You can Google ‘101 ways to fix a geyser’ while you’re down in the basement or enjoy your movie in peace regardless of the Fornite battle in the next room. It gets better, though. The software also comes with a host of parental controls, including setting device limits, filters and monitoring time spent online – we meant it when we said it would save family peace. The only thing it can’t seem to do is sort out Cell Signal. If only we had something for that…

Oh, wait.

Who are we kidding? Of course we do. Our Cell Boosters are to phones what Wi-Fi Mesh is to Wi-Fi. The theory is simple: take an existing signal (no matter how weak), amplify it and make sure you never have to experience a dropped call from your home again. It’s basically the digital equivalent of Popeye’s Spinach – except this one can save your business time, money and peace of mind. The devices require no maintenance, ensure better communication, easier texting and compete peace of mind. Good weather or bad, it doesn’t really matter – all you need is a little Boost(er).

Life is tough enough without the stress of your paid services not delivering as they should.

With such an emphasis on staying at home and keeping your loved ones safe, your family deserves to enjoy the benefits of unimpeded streaming, easy browsing and stress-free connectivity without playing The Hunger Games over bandwidth. What’s more, your business shouldn’t need to deal with distractions which may cost you money in the long run.

And, if there’s anything we’ve learned from living in South Africa, it never hurts to have a well placed “connection”.

Why is my Fibre Taking so Long?

Posted on 2 July 2021 by Suhail Dinat

We know how it goes.

You’ve finally decided to sign with Vox. After all that head scratching and Googling, waiting for responses to your Facebook status and scrolling through Twitter, you’ve made up your mind and you’re ready to join our family.

At this point, everyone’s happy. You’ve checked the boxes online, submitted the forms, spoken to our (admittedly rather lovely) sales agents and you’re ready to go. Imagine your surprise, then, when you’re not instantly connected?

What gives? Where’s the little green fairy that gets my browser going? I had plans of the Office, FIFA Tournaments and and a weekend of Netflix in bed, but I’m not online yet?

We get it.

The only thing worse than not having Internet (and load shedding) is having Internet that isn’t working right now.

Gone are the days of simple distractions. Everything from our phones to our TV’s to our 9 – 5 work time is now dependent on being online.

What many people don’t realise, however, is the incredible amount of work behind the scenes that goes into making sure your connectivity happens. It’s not as simple as turning on a switch and waiting for an astronaut to connect a wire, nor is it as easy as plug-and-play. Fibre is our pride and joy because it works, but the reality is that getting it off the ground can take time. So, before you start attacking your keyboard and throwing more shade than an umbrella store on Black Friday, here’s our guide to surviving the wait for Fibre (as well as possible reasons for any delays).

Step One: It’s in the Deets.

The first point of contact when signing up for FTTH is the equivalent of a first date. We can’t help you if we don’t know you, so we need to start by finding out your information (because we get catfished too. Don’t ask, you’d be surprised).

This immediately leaves room for delays because, as much as we’d love to be fully automated, parts of this process rely on human engagement (we knew we should have invested in robots). Be it reliance on the client to provide the info or on a physical salesperson to process the order, at least two people are involved in the early steps – meaning there’s room for a bit of lag on either side.

We also have to proceed with contract vetting and assessing whether there’s an existing line on any registered address. Stay with us, because this is where it gets slower than Gilloolies on a Friday (and clogs our Twitter feed just as much).

If there’s an active connection on an existing line , we must ensure that this is removed before we can do our thing. It’s not that we want to take our time, but new tenants can’t start unpacking their belongings while the previous tenant is having an afternoon nap. Most ISP’s have a cancellation notice period before the line is inactive (ours is a clear calendar month), which means there’s already room for delay in the first stage of the process. Yay?

Step Two: It’s not me, it’s you.

Remember what we said about being catfished? Step Two is designed to counter that.

Herein, we proceed with the RICA approval and certification of our new applicants. We need to ensure that you’re a real person (and who you say you are) because, let’s face it, the Internet can be crazy. Herein, we validate your information AND ID copy against a Home Affairs Database (and, thankfully, our process doesn’t require gum chewing employees saying “the system is currently offline”).

If you’re like us and you took your ID photo when your hairline was still within the same hemisphere as the rest of your face, don’t stress, most times any failures we get are a quick fix with some human intervention. Again, there are two checks, meaning two points of failure – this is another vetting stage of the process which can (and sometimes does), take time.

Step Three: PMO, FNO, L-M-N-O…

This isn’t really a delay stage, but more us verifying the order and making sure the Fibre line is going to the right place. We need to factor in your street address, unit number, and all the nitty-gritty stuff that nobody wants to read in a blog, so we’re going to move to the next point.

Step Four: Line Me Up, Scotty.

Herewith the bearer of bad news and destroyer of moods, installing your actual Fibre line. Okay, some (or most) areas don’t require us to come in and destroy your rosebushes, in which case you should be good without the hassle. For those who need our technicians to do their thing so you can do yours, however, this presents its own share of potential delays.

Firstly, the actual installation depends on availability and a convenient time for both parties. Then there’s the actual digging, the installing and making sure everything is up and running. Sometimes, clients want the technicians to take a less disruptive route around the newly laid lawn which could lead to an additional once off charge, and this invoicing step can add delays . In simple English, installing a line isn’t fun – and everyone knows that anything that isn’t fun takes the longest. Like an episode of Bridgerton.

Step Six: Don’t Call Me, Maybe.

A big component of getting you going is actually getting hold of you. It may sound simplistic, but you’d really be surprised. Some steps of the process can’t move to the next level without us speaking to our newest family member. These include finding out availability, arranging for the Router to be delivered, installation suitability and running a test once everything is set up to ensure you’re really connected.

Some people don’t answer numbers they don’t know, others have us listed in Truecaller as “big Green scammer”, while some are just notoriously tricky to get in touch with. We get it, we’ve spent a fair amount of time convincing call centre agents we’ve moved to Tokyo, but when it comes to Fibre, we don’t call for fun.

All-in-all, there are a plethora of reasons your connectivity can be taking a little bit longer than expected. Now, we’re not saying ignore it until we’re ready for you, but sometimes things can take a while to get running.

However, you know how they say, “good things come to those who wait”?

They were talking about Vox Fibre when they said it.

TP-Link Deco is Here to Save Your Wi-Fi Network and Your Sanity

Posted on 7 June 2021 by Guin Davies

More than just a quick way to boost your coverage, TP-Link Deco lets you take control of Wi-Fi usage in your home with a handy app.

Where would we be without Wi-Fi? As brilliant as it may be for carrying the Internet to our devices, it does come with one or two drawbacks – especially as we’re all spending a lot more time at home now, staring into screens of various sizes.

This new reality has meant we not only rely on the need for fast, reliable connectivity – for work and play – but also smarter ways of limiting screen time and keeping our kids from going down potentially destructive social media spirals.

Your Wi-Fi, your way

First, let’s talk coverage. We all love it. We all need it. But it’s hands down one of the most frustrating things to get right. Unfortunately, there are loads of obstacles in modern homes that impact our coverage and bandwidth.

These include, but aren’t limited to, the size of our house, what the walls are made from and how thick they are, how many floors we have and whether our router is near other objects that might interfere with the Wi-Fi signal, like a microwave or even a fish tank.

Mesh Wi-Fi offers a great solution for creating a seamless network in your home quickly and easily. All you need to do is place a mesh router in the areas of your home most in need of a signal boost and you’re all set. If you need more coverage, you simply add a mesh unit where needed.

If you choose TP-Link Deco, you’ll not only enjoy seamless Wi-Fi throughout your home, you’ll be able to monitor Internet usage from the palm of your hand via the Deco app – one that includes robust parental controls.

Worried about screen time? There’s an app for that

The Deco app is designed to help you set up your TP-Link mesh solution, but it also includes a ton of other useful functionalities to help make your day to day life just that much easier – especially when it comes to monitoring and limiting websites and screen time for your kids.

With the TP-Link Deco app, you can create a profile for each member of your family and manage them individually. This means if one of your kids is on an Internet time-out, no one else suffers too – their devices will be the only ones affected. Not only will you be able to cut their Wi-Fi access for a set time, you’ll also be able to limit the sites they visit or apps they use and keep it all extremely age-appropriate with ease.

The Deco app is also invaluable when it comes to setting your TP-Link routers up, as it will guide you to the best placement for each one and give you an indication of how good your Wi-Fi network really is. TP-Link Deco units are also capable of handling up to 100 connected devices, so there’s no need to worry about overloading your network anymore either.

With Vox Wi-Fi Home Mesh, you’ll be able to cover your home in a cosy blanket of Wi-Fi and sleep comfortably knowing your Internet is totally within your control and just an app away.