Vox 4 Thought

Is Your Business Wi-Fi Due for an Upgrade?

Posted on 21 May 202521 May 2025 by Craig Blignaut

A better Wi-Fi environment brings increased productivity to your employees and your organisation

Business Wi-Fi provides your employees with their gateway to the Internet, including operations in the Cloud. This requires stability and reliability – and as your business grows, your Wi-Fi needs may change. What worked for your organisation yesterday may not be sufficient in the future as your company’s Wi-Fi requirements increase.

Perhaps your organisation’s infrastructure was installed a few years ago, but as cost-effectively as possible – it may have been that the Wi-Fi requirement then wasn’t as much of a focus point as it has since become. Now, your organisation is growing and the need for improved Wi-Fi services is apparent.

Let’s have a look at why your business Wi-Fi may be due for an upgrade – and the steps you can take to implement this.

A Better Wi-Fi Environment Brings Increased Productivity

Wi-Fi has been around for the past 25 to 30 years and has evolved significantly during that time. With vastly more applications and computer programs available today, a much higher throughput is required to maximise the experience of the users in your organisations.

The days of having a single room with Wi-Fi access in it within the entire premises, or a dedicated area across the particular floor in the building, are long gone. People today expect Wi-Fi access in every environment that they move into. Your corporate solution therefore needs to work properly and enable productivity – you don’t want your employees being forced to spend five to 10 minutes trying to connect. Conversely, a better Wi-Fi environment brings increased productivity.

With a clear requirement for functionally excellent Wi-Fi access throughout the organisation, it may be time to invest in better, enterprise-level equipment, and an organisation that can assist you in managing and planning the Wi-Fi design as efficiently as possible.

Advantages of Upgrading Your Business Wi-Fi Network

Vox provides managed Wi-Fi services for businesses. This enables remote software and firmware updates, and reduced technician call-outs, through remote troubleshooting and fault remediation.

One of our services is offering audits on existing Wi-Fi, because with legacy old equipment, security becomes a risk. We also know that not every business is looking for brand-new Wi-Fi in a new building from scratch. Very often, we find that we’re taking over the legacy Wi-Fi previously used by the company, and we may be able to upgrade the existing assets or infrastructure.

The advantages of upgrading your business Wi-Fi network include the following:

Increased speed and bandwidth;
Improved connection reliability;
Improved security and privacy; and
Easier setup and management.

Security alone is a particularly serious issue, as network threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. At Vox, we are keenly aware of the need to carry out regular software updates on our network equipment, such as access points and switches, as is necessary with all technology.

An access point can become a security risk if no one is managing it: for example, the manufacturer could find security vulnerabilities with certain equipment, and if it doesn’t get a security patch or update, the access point becomes vulnerable.

Overcoming Wi-Fi Challenges Presented by Infrastructure

The construction materials used in buildings, such as concrete, glass, brick and metal, can interfere with Wi-Fi signals and obstruct them in different ways, especially in larger or older buildings with thick walls. To counteract this challenge, Vox uses specialised software to create virtual models of your office space.

This software considers the different structural properties of the various building materials, allowing you to predict how Wi-Fi signals will travel and where obstacles might cause issues.

This virtual planning considers such factors as signal strength as well as how to determine the best access point and placement for access points and switches, to optimise network performance and capacity in areas where it’s needed most.

Vox Managed Wi-Fi Solutions

Our business Wi-Fi offerings are designed to optimise your Wi-Fi coverage, extend range and expand networking possibilities, enhancing the user experience and providing seamless, reliable connectivity for all devices, as follows:

Solve network issues and limit service centre interaction, reducing technical call outs. Network analytics provides information such as alarms, incidents and client experience information, including time to connect to the access points.
Radio Frequency (RF) design and planning: Our RF heatmap design software enables correct planning, scoping and implementation to improve overall Wi-Fi experience for both users and organisations.
Enterprise Equipment: Vox partners with enterprise grade equipment vendors, such as Ruckus Networks, to provide robust equipment from access points to managed switches and management cloud platforms, offering enhanced Wi-Fi connections and capacity for concurrent user devices.

Bespoke Managed Wi-Fi Solutions with Vox

The benefits of managed Wi-Fi solutions ensure, for example, that your organisation carries out regular, planned security updates in the same way as for our phones and computers. Vox offers any organisation a bespoke Wi-Fi solution according to their particular requirements.

We also understand the requirements of speed versus capacity. For example, your organisation might have a boardroom that is required to facilitate a meeting with 100 people in it once a week, and otherwise is seldom used. At Vox, we understand how to cater to the capacity that may be only required from time to time.

A managed Wi-Fi solution also offers convenience, as our Service Centre is able to remotely troubleshoot and improve network performance using cloud-based administrative tools. This ensures that more connected devices can enjoy uninterrupted Wi-Fi in your business.

It all speaks to ongoing connectivity, which in turn speaks to improved productivity.

Is your business Wi-Fi due for an upgrade? Feel free to reach out to us on 087 805 5050 or via email on corporatesales@voxtelecom.co.za and begin a discussion.

Bringing the ‘Gees’ and Embracing New Challenges

Posted on 16 May 202518 February 2026 by Vivienne Fouche

Meet our Experts: Spotlight on Adriaan Buitendag

At Vox, we value, support and actively engage people with the levels of expertise that we require to keep us moving forward as a company. In this edition of ‘Meet our Experts’, we find out more about Regional Sales Manager Adriaan Buitendag, who manages to combine Monsters and mincing machines into his daily motivation to his team members.

After a solid five years at Vox, Regional Sales Manager Adriaan Buitendag is taking on a new and exciting challenge with a move from Polokwane in Limpopo to Gauteng, embracing increased responsibilities and the excitement of a big, bustling city. It’s not necessarily going to be a ‘monstrously’ difficult challenge – anyone who knows Adriaan will know why that’s funny! – but it’s definitely a significant step forward.

Says Adriaan: “I’ve lived most of my life in Polokwane, but I have stayed in Joburg previously, for about a year when I was younger. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to explore many new places, at the same time as tackling new responsibilities and a wider range of tasks within my day-to-day working environment.”

There are ways in which the change of pace will be challenging in these still-early days, but this is a man who thrives on challenges.

[You could, in fact, call him the Chuck Norris of sales…]

We delve into the story of another everyday Vox hero, who in his career so far has (both officially and unofficially) embraced ‘Rookie of the Year’ more than once, and risen quickly and efficiently into a leadership role.

How Life at Vox Began

Adriaan – who also has an enthusiastic and successful entrepreneurship history – had been running his own business when he applied to Vox, being appointed in March 2020. Of course, this was just a few months before South Africa went into the Covid lockdown.

“Like everyone else,” he muses, “I remember that first ‘My fellow South Africans…’ speech, which suddenly turned our whole worlds upside down. But starting at Vox during the first month of lockdown turned out fine for me. At that time in Polokwane, there was just one residential area that was about to go live with Fibre, with about 500 homes. When we went into lockdown, I asked my reporting manager, who at the time was JP du Plessis, what he expected from me, and he said: ‘Well, just sell as much as you can.’

“I took my phone and started phoning through my contacts – pitching Fibre to the Home to them – and I think within the first month of sales, I did 100 quotes, with 39 accepted orders and 28 approved, to a total of R23,000 worth of sales, which placed me into third position in the country.”

[Again, see the notes about ‘the Chuck Norris of Sales’ and ‘Rookie of the Year’]

Vox CEO Jacques du Toit was overheard saying that, in 25 years in the telecommunications industry, he ‘had never seen anything like it’.

“And you know,” continues Adriaan, “hearing those supportive words just affirmed that what I was doing was the correct way of doing things. And I’ve never stopped doing it that way since.”

Here, we could define ‘that way’ as driving sales with energy, warmth, honesty and attention to detail, all wrapped together in a tasty dollop of fun and excitement – it wouldn’t be too long before Adriaan’s special blend of out-of-the-box thinking, with both his internal incentivising and external sales campaigns, would come to the fore.

Driving the Daily Moments

Adriaan clarifies that Limpopo and Mpumalanga, his previous ‘stomping grounds’, together contain some 7.2 percent of the country’s Fibre network for Vox salespeople in these two provinces to sell on. “In contrast, Gauteng has about 44 percent of the country’s network,” he clarifies, “so I believe that the addition of Gauteng into my portfolio is definitely a great opportunity for me to show what I can do!”

Perhaps as a reaction to starting at Vox during Covid, Adriaan is a fan of working at the office rather than from home. He explains: “As soon as I get into the car and start driving to work in the morning, my mind starts switching on in terms of what tasks I must complete for the day, what we should do as a team, and the discussions I need to have – essentially, what tasks and challenges do I need to drive that day? By the time I get to the office I’m in work mode.”

As for the transition between Polokwane and Gauteng, Adriaan clarifies: “A current focus for me is to increase efficiencies, and I’m satisfied that we’re making good progress. In other ways, though, there are many similarities in my role within the two different places, including communicating with my team to see how they’re tracking towards their numbers and sharing the strategies that we’re implementing, as well as liaising with senior management, to ensure that my team is empowered with the correct tools and so forth, to continue driving the business forward.

“Essentially, when I compare my working life in Polokwane to Gauteng, it remains community-focused – there are still communities everywhere, but in Joburg and Pretoria, it’s just a larger variety. At heart, it remains all about people, both with colleagues as well as our clients.”

Bringing the Monsters with the ‘Gees’!

When Adriaan headed up the Polokwane branch, it was – and still is – famous for having Monsters everywhere – the energy drinks, that is – because, says Adriaan, ‘Our blood is green!’

Well, watch out Joburg, because the Monsters have come with him: “They’re standing in boxes and boxes here on the floor!” he says enthusiastically. “I did stick them up against the wall initially, but I’ve now got a new plan: I would like to find someone who can cut, mould and shape these tins into a symbolic sculpture that depicts what we stand for here at Vox – something that represents life or growth, perhaps, to attract and inspire our salespeople.”

[It seems like Adriaan might also be the Chuck Norris of recycling…?]

He is also famous for his trophies, which he made himself: “I created two impala heads for my ‘Top Salesperson’ and ‘Best Customer Retention’ awards. And I have another trophy here designed like a mince meat grinder, which symbolically talks to the sales process….”

[Wait, what?]

“…as follows: your top funnel, where the meat goes in, represents your sales prospects; the lever that you turn to kickstart the process is your closing of the sale; and in the front end, where the mince comes out in its final form, you have your commission! All the processes work in turn with each other to represent the complete sales process.”

It’s a great conceptual idea, and it isn’t all that Adriaan has up his sleeve in terms of his creativity and ingenuity – he’s looking forward to unfolding more initiatives over the next few months in Gauteng. For now, the photos tell more of the story.

“I enjoyed creating a competitive yet positive and family-orientated mindset within my branch in Polokwane, which was also replicated in the Mpumalanga branch, and yes, I hope to install the same, in the coming months, in Gauteng as well,” says Adriaan.

A True Survivor

Despite all the fun elements that Adriaan brings into his work, it hasn’t been a sunny journey all the way through – he’s had to overcome some real challenges in his life, including two retrenchments in one year (“That was one of my lowest ever points,” he notes) as well as being involved in a very serious car accident, which at the time affected both his health as well as his job security. How, then, does he remain so unswervingly optimistic, and continue persevering with such unwavering determination?

“I think,” he says, “that much of my inspiration comes from my late father, who was a police officer for 26 years, as well as my late grandfather, who was a pastor for 28 years. I have tremendous respect for them and for the life lessons that they taught me, including dedication, perseverance and being disciplined.”

Adding to their excellent example, Adriaan also learned some great life lessons during his school years through his karate training, when he became a three-times national colours recipient.

“I believe that in life, some of its punches will hit you and others will miss,” he says, “but are you going to stand still and just allow the punches to land on you? No! You have to remain strong in bobbing and weaving, to successfully duck as many of them as you can – and then, of course, when the punches do land, you just have to get back up on your feet.”

Inspiration from the Top

Pointing out that the telecommunications industry is dependent on adapting to new challenges and ideas, Adriaan appreciates the energy that is always apparent within Vox. “My inspiration comes from the top down,” he says, “through our CEO, Jacques du Toit and national sales manager, Johan Pitzer, and their drive and passion always energises me.

“I see how, within our company, there’s a shared awareness of challenges that need to be overcome and results that need to be achieved, and the encouragement to do this is always positive, forward-thinking and motivational, which I love. I also highly appreciate having the freedom to be an out-of-the-box thinker.”

As for moving forward, Adriaan says it’s critical to share knowledge and expertise. “From my experience, we always need to adapt and innovate,” he says, “and I’ve found that people as individuals are often afraid of teaching others, or imparting their knowledge to someone else – perhaps they’re afraid that they’ll then be challenged later. My idea, though, is that it’s better to share our knowledge, and in this way continue to encourage and challeng each other as we keep moving forward.

“People need to bring others into the fold of a culture that we’re trying to achieve, and in this way, this is already bringing us all a step closer to shared success. After all, a candle that lights another candle doesn’t lose any of its flame,” concludes Adriaan.

Your Digital Bodyguard in a World of Online Madness

Posted on 5 May 20253 December 2025 by Suhail Dinat

Think of Norton with Vox as your digital bodyguard — quietly working to keep your devices, identity and family safe online. Short answer: Norton with Vox provides real‑time protection that helps block viruses, spyware, ransomware and phishing scams, while keeping performance snappy so you can stream, work and doom scroll without drama.

Why online security actually matters (and fast)

Most of us treat cybersecurity like the little warranty booklet — shoved in a drawer until something goes wrong. Problem is, by then it’s usually too late. Quick reality check:

There’s a cyberattack every 39 seconds.
1 in 3 South Africans has been targeted by cybercrime.
Global losses from cybercrime are on track to exceed trillions by 2025.
Even smart appliances — yes, even your fridge — can be hijacked.

So, no: it’s not paranoia. It’s preparation.

Norton with Vox — what it protects against

Norton with Vox is the straightforward, no‑nonsense defence you actually want on your devices. It’s not flashy, but it works. Key benefits to shout about:

Real‑time threat blocking

Norton helps protect you from viruses, spyware and malware with continuous scanning and automatic updates — so threats are stopped before they get noisy.

Ransomware and identity protection

It helps reduce the risk of ransomware locking your files and includes identity theft protection tools to help guard your personal info.

Multi‑device support and minimal impact

Cover your laptop, phone and tablet with one solution. Norton is built to be light on resources so it won’t slow down your streaming or work apps — important when you’re juggling fibre, streaming services and half a dozen subscriptions.

When you need a digital bodyguard

Whether you’re paying bills on public Wi‑Fi (brave), letting the kids download “free games” (risky), or clicking on WhatsApp links from Auntie Phumla (huge question mark), Norton with Vox helps reduce the chance of a painful digital surprise.

Quick internet safety tips

Use strong, unique passwords and a password manager.
Think twice before clicking links in messages or emails.
Use a VPN on public Wi‑Fi (Norton packages often include one).
Keep your software and devices updated.

Want Norton with Vox?

If you’d like a hassle‑free layer of digital protection added to your Vox service, Norton with Vox is ready to help. Learn more about plans and the current offer — including introductory months free — and choose the package that fits your household devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Norton with Vox?

Norton with Vox is a bundled consumer security solution offered via Vox that provides real‑time protection for devices, including antivirus, anti‑phishing, identity protection features and options for multiple devices.

Will Norton slow my device down?

Norton is designed to have minimal performance impact; it helps protect your device while keeping things running smoothly.

Does Norton with Vox protect against ransomware?

Norton includes layers of defence that help reduce the risk of ransomware and other malware affecting your files and devices.

Can I use Norton with Vox on multiple devices?

Yes. Norton packages typically support multiple devices so you can protect phones, tablets and computers under one plan.

Wireless Connectivity Struts its Stuff

Posted on 22 April 202522 April 2025 by Suhail Dinat

In the age of reels, DMs, and “guys, it’s giving…”

…Wireless Connectivity is basically the socialite of the tech world—glamorous, fast-talking, always on the move, and somehow everywhere.

Unlike Satellite (our dependable but dusty Oupa), Wireless is that hyper teen who can’t sit still, wears AirPods at the dinner table, and somehow has three bars of signal even in a concrete bunker. It’s chaotic, it’s brilliant, it’s a bit emotionally unstable—but it gets the job done.

Let’s rewind a bit though. Wireless wasn’t always this confident. There was a time when it was the shy kid in the corner, struggling to send a song via Bluetooth for 17 hours while your phones practically had to kiss. Remember that? The Nokias doing infrared transfers like some awkward phone-to-phone CPR? Simpler times (although we’re showing our age here. Sorry not sorry).

Wireless is the friend who went to gym once, got a six-pack, and suddenly discovered their worth. Now it’s strutting down digital runways, offering high-speed, low-latency connections and acting like it didn’t spend its formative years buffering LimeWire downloads.

So, in honour of Wireless’ glow-up, here’s a Throwback List of things that were still cool when your Wi-Fi password was “admin123”:

YouTube intros with exploding text
Spinning BlackBerry loading wheels
Being “WAP enabled” (and not in the Cardi B sense)
The sweet, sweet pain of EDGE connection
MXIT statuses like: “$$$Mo$$$ is… bored 😐”
Twitter eggs
When Instagram was just sepia-tone lunch photos

Wireless has come a long way. From stealing your neighbour’s unsecured signal (shout out to “NETGEAR”) to Mesh Wi-Fi systems that cover your house like clingwrap over a plate of leftovers—seamless, unnecessary, but somehow very comforting.

And look, we get it. Wireless isn’t perfect. Sometimes it flakes out during that very important Teams call, or decides to ghost you the second you sit down to stream something. It’s got commitment issues. It gets moody in rain. And like any dramatic lead in a telenovela, it loves dropping out right when the plot thickens.

But despite all its high-maintenance behaviour, it’s hard not to love it. Wireless connectivity has turned our homes into offices, our parks into cinemas, and our toilets into social hubs (don’t lie—we all do it).

The truth? Wireless isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s a lifeline. From that weird new coffee shop trying to seem quirky with “No Wi-Fi, Talk to Each Other” signs (okay, Karen), to schools in remote areas running full classes on a dongle and a prayer—Wireless keeps things going.

It’s the overachiever. The do-it-all. The one carrying half the tech world on its slightly overworked, overheating shoulders.

So, while it might not have the old-school loyalty of Satellite, or the brute strength of Fibre, Wireless is the one you call when you need to get things done fast, flashy, and without strings. Literally.

Wireless: flakey but fabulous.

We stan.

The Fibre Connectivity Alternative That’s Perfect For YOU

Posted on 15 April 202515 April 2025 by Vivienne Fouche

Being connected to the digital world means living in the 21st century

Internet access opens up the race to the future, providing access to tools, skills and opportunities. Connectivity has changed people’s lives across South Africa, allowing anyone to access information and communicate with others all over the country, and in real time.

Email, instant messaging and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have made it possible to share news and opinions and join in conversations. In addition, closing the digital divide brings millions of people into a competitive world of opportunities – in other words, able to ‘join the race’.

Compared to DSL lines (the original Internet connectivity through Telkom’s copper phone lines), Fibre Optic cables offer incredibly high Internet speeds in large metropolitan areas and many towns around the country. Because it’s so fast, Fibre is often called the ‘gold in the ground’ – it represents the pinnacle of blazing fast Internet. But what do you do if Fibre cables haven’t yet been laid in your area? You don’t want to be left behind, like a racing driver stalling on the starting grid.

Fortunately, alternative Connectivity solutions are available for every location, requirement and budget, and Vox offers them all.

Fixed Wireless

Welcome to the wonders of Microwave technology that’s not just for reheating meals. Users of this service can enjoy almost Fibre-like speeds, while its ease of setup also makes it popular. A device is pointed at a tower which services the area in which you live, providing a high-speed internet connection whose access towers are served and connected to Fibre lines as the ‘backhaul’.

Because the stations are clustered in line of sight of each other, a Fixed Wireless connection can deliver a very fast Internet experience with low latency. It’s a good option for an area not directly served by terrestrial Fibre, or if someone stays in a higher density development where no cables, just a device and a sim card, is a more convenient option.

LTE and 5G

First it was LTE and now it’s 5G, the latest iteration of technology that runs on a network of base stations using Radio waves (in a similar manner to mobile phones). Together, these options can be found in more remote regions, as well as in towns around the country, and they’re able to provide high-speed Internet access.

It’s important to remember that with a wireless solution, location is key, and so how far away you are from the nearest broadcast tower has an impact on the Internet speed you get. On the upside, from a mobility point of view, you can take your router to a secondary location and use it there, for example for work or on holiday (as long as it has the required LTE or 5G signal) once you’ve made the arrangement with your ISP.

Satellite Connectivity for Remote Areas

Satellite Internet has become a game-changer for those living in rural or outlying areas where Fibre, Fixed Wireless and LTE/5G Internet options aren’t available. Check out our Vox Satellite options across the country. We’re here to assist those on farms and at game lodges as well as remote schools, businesses and clinics.

Compared to the other options, Satellite is the slowest Internet connection available, but it’s also the one with the broadest reach, as satellites fly thousands of kilometres above us and beam their Internet signal down to the earth. If your Internet connection was a race, Satellite is the tortoise – but it’ll still get you there in the end, and allow you to stay connected!

A quick note: ADSL, the original Internet infrastructure using copper Telkom lines, doesn’t fit into the future picture because it’s at the end of its life, and as service providers stop maintaining the copper network it will become a feature of the past, quite soon.

Check out the Coverage Map

Go to vox.co.za, where you’ll see our connectivity coverage map. Type in your full physical address to check which Connectivity options are covered in your area. You can then start exploring the current packages and promos, depending on your requirements and your budget.

A quick note: Those waiting for Fibre installations can also look at Fixed Wireless or LTE / 5G as a preliminary measure until they can switch to Fibre, and then keep the original option for failover protection for those times when the Fibre line goes down.

It’s a race to the future for you and your family – and even South Africa as a whole – because *Internet Access = Moving Forward*.

Fixed Wireless, LTE and 5G, and Satellite all have an important role to play in South Africa as well as Fibre. Whatever your needs, and wherever you are, Vox has the solution.

Satellite is Old… But is it Over?

Posted on 11 April 202518 September 2025 by Suhail Dinat

In a world dominated by super-fast connectivity (you know the sales pitch) – Satellite seems about as relevant as a coupon for Blockbuster at a Netflix convention (editor’s note: we are officially too old to think of more relevant pop-culture jokes. Skibidi Rizz).

In fact, we’ve compiled a Throwback list of things which were still trending when Satellite was last relevant (which, incidentally, includes the concept of Throwbacks):

Mxit and BBM Pins
Jay Jays
Scratch and enter airtime vouchers
The first debut of Anaconda on ETV
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Man United being good
Elon Musk being proudly South African

Fact is (and we can’t pretend otherwise), Satellite is old. And not cool old, or even old enough to pass as cute – we’re talking ‘oupa saying “back in my day” while waving fist’ old.

If Satellite were a person, its ID number would be 1 – and it would still have the green ID book. There’s no two ways about it – it’s been here for a long time and a good time. It’s outlasted copper cables and 3G. Stayed the course when everyone was discovering what Wi-Fi means. It was there, solid and dependable when people blamed 5G for Covid. And, the way its going, chances are it’ll be there long after its current group of peers have moved on – like that kid in matric that was already there when you started, but nobody ever saw him graduate or recalls him being in any other year.

So, what’s the point of all of this? Are we going somewhere, or did we just wake up with a directive to write a blog about Satellite and decide to bash it for 1,000 words or less (gotta love malicious compliance).

Admittedly, this author wasn’t too enthused about the concept – how do we sell Betty White in a world full of Kim K’s? (again – the most recent pop-culturally diva we could think of).

If you’re talking connotations, Satellite evokes feelings of excitement rivalled only by the new VAT price – that is, until you dig beneath the surface (ironic, since it’s basically a fossil anyway).

Let’s state the obvious: Satellite isn’t for the person who just moved into the extremely unique and definitely different looking new Balwin property. It’s not for the tender-preneur, the guy next to the country club, your neighbourhood Karen or anyone in the city. However, neither is a tractor – but there’s a time, and a place, and a reason for everything. And we can guarantee you a tractor is a site more useful on its own turf than a dropped suspension GTI.

That’s not to say there’s not a place for the tech. Aside from people in outlying areas where Fibre lines are as rare as a working cell signal, the recent prancing of Elon has seen a big resurgence in Satellite being a buzzword globally – and no, not just because he’s flinging them into orbit like Oprah giving out cars—“you get a satellite, you get a satellite!”

The truth is, Satellite has quietly reinvented itself. It’s no longer just the chunky metal dish bolted to your oupa’s roof, picking up reruns of Knight Rider. It’s become leaner, smarter, and in some instances, surprisingly cool (in a very niche, sci-fi-adjacent kind of way).

Modern satellite tech is the silent hero of rural connectivity, remote operations, emergency services, and that weird stretch of road where even your playlists refuse to load. It’s what keeps oil rigs online, helps farmers track crop health from space, and connects ships in the middle of nowhere so they can still order pizza (ok, maybe not quite—but close).

In fact, with the rise of LEO (low-earth orbit) constellations and private companies entering the game, Satellite’s gone from dusty relic to… well, still old—but old with a gym membership and a side hustle.

Is it glamorous? No.
Is it trending on TikTok? Definitely not.
But is it essential? More than ever.

So before you write it off completely, remember: just because something isn’t flashy doesn’t mean it’s not powerful. Satellite’s like that one uncle who shows up to the braai with tools, biltong, and obscure knowledge about boreholes—you don’t get it, but you’re glad he’s there when things go wrong.

Satellite’s not trying to win Prom King any more. It’s not chasing trends or hashtags. It’s just out here, doing its thing, keeping the forgotten corners of the world connected—and that, in this fast-paced digital mess, might just be the coolest thing of all.

Long live the dish.

WhatsApp and Your Customers

Posted on 10 April 202510 April 2025 by Natalie van der Merwe

A Powerful Channel for Contact Centres

We all know that mobile phones were originally invented to enable Voice calls that could be made and received on the go, and not just through a fixed land line. And so it’s ironic that we’re seeing an increasing trend in recent years for consumers to use their smart phones for text-based communication more than for Voice calls. This pattern brings ramifications for businesses as well as individuals.

The ‘texting versus calling’ trend is highly visible in private conversations as well as in the communication preferences that people have with businesses, including contact centres.

WhatsApp has become one of the world’s most popular and widely used text-based apps, and its features and popularity bring significant benefits to contact centres also – so much so that WhatsApp has, in fact, become one of the most powerful channels for contact centre usage today. Let’s unpack this further, starting with insights on why texting itself can be so useful.

Don’t Call Me (Send Me a Text)

Texting provides a quick and efficient way to communicate. There’s no need for pleasantries or small talk (especially if you’re not in the mood!) – you can simply get straight to the point. In a world where time is a precious commodity, many people see this as an advantage, especially when they’re busy or under stress.

Some of the advantages of texting include the following:

Great for multi-tasking: Texting allows people to communicate during brief free moments, including in the ‘asynchronous’ timing of messages (where both the sender and the recipient of the message don’t have to be in ‘chat mode’ at exactly the same time). For example, you can send a text message just before setting off on a trip to work and then read the response when you’ve arrived at the office, or you could send a text while waiting for your computer to finish a series of planned updates. The important thing is that you can text at a time that works for you.
Texting is easy: Even members of an older generation understand how to text on their smartphones, and it’s easier than a Voice call for anyone who is hearing impaired. For those who are introverts, or living in a country where the primary business language isn’t their first language, texting can be easier than trying to speak on the phone.
Efficiency of use: Texting allows us to get straight to the point – we ask a direct question, get a straightforward answer, and carry on with our schedule.
Written record: In addition, text messages remain with you and can be referred back to for further information or confirmation, if required.
Unintrusive communications: You don’t need to interrupt whatever you’re doing to immediately read or answer a message – you can do it at your convenience (at least most of the time). A phone call, on the other hand, requires real-time (‘synchronous’) communication at a time when it may not suit both parties to make or receive a call.
Synched to your computer: As an additional advantage, WhatsApp’s useful functionality also allows you to synch your smartphone to your laptop or desktop computer, so you can have the additional convenience of sending text messages via a device with a bigger keyboard, which for some people is more convenient.

So much for the advantages of being able to text your messages. Among the many communication channels available, WhatsApp has emerged as a gamechanger.

WhatsApp: Powering Ahead in Popularity and Availability

With over 2 billion active users globally, WhatsApp has become an incredibly popular and important platform within the digital communications landscape. Originally designed as a simple messaging app, it’s now a critical tool for contact centres, providing superb accessibility and efficiency, and enhancing customer engagement.

WhatsApp’s usage in contact centres has been a logical business extension because it’s versatile, widely available as well as extensively used, and able to deliver seamless, personalised experiences at scale.

Here are some thought-provoking statistics:

96% of South Africans use WhatsApp.
Globally, 68% of users check WhatsApp daily, indicating high engagement.
Over 175 million people message a WhatsApp Business account every day.

For contact centres, this means a ready-made audience that prefers the platform for its convenience and immediacy.

Benefits for Contact Centres

Using WhatsApp can benefit contact centres in several different ways, including accessibility, real-time conversations, a variety of media formats and cost-efficiency.

Accessibility: WhatsApp’s widespread usage ensures that businesses can reach customers almost anywhere. Unlike voice or email, which require specific setups, WhatsApp operates on a platform most customers already use on a daily basis.
Real-time conversations: The platform supports fast and efficient interactions for resolving customer queries, sending notifications and collecting feedback.
Rich media capabilities: WhatsApp supports a variety of media formats, including text, images, videos, documents and voice notes. This versatility allows businesses to share detailed information, demonstrate solutions visually, and provide instructions.
Cost efficiency: Compared to Voice or SMS channels, WhatsApp offers a more affordable solution for high-volume interactions. Businesses can save costs while maintaining high levels of service.
Track chat history: WhatsApp keeps track of all customer interactions, providing a complete view of the user journey. This ensures continuity and context, allowing for multiple agents to seamlessly assist customers.
Single place of interaction: Integrating WhatsApp into the contact centre software allows agents to manage all customer communications from one platform, streamlining workflows and improving response times.
Automation: WhatsApp can be integrated with chatbots to handle common queries, freeing up human agents to handle more complex issues.

Smartz Solutions: Integrating WhatsApp into Your Customer Journey

The Ultimate Guide to understanding WhatsApp Business | Vox | WhatsApp and Your Customers — Image courtesy of Smarz Solutions

Vox has proudly partnered with Smartz Solutions, which has been at the forefront of enabling businesses to embrace WhatsApp as part of its omnichannel communication strategy.

By seamlessly integrating WhatsApp with other channels like Voice, email and web chat, SmartzSolutions empowers contact centres to offer customers increased flexibility, helping businesses in the following ways:

Rapid Deployment: The company has a proven track record of being able to deploy a WhatsApp bot in under 24 hours, handling unprecedented interaction volumes effortlessly.
Seamless Integration: SmartzSolutions ensures that WhatsApp is part of a cohesive omnichannel strategy so that every interaction, regardless of channel, contributes to a unified customer experience.
Sentiment Analysis and Personalisation: By integrating sentiment analysis, the company helps businesses to tailor their WhatsApp interactions, ensuring they resonate with a customer’s unique needs and emotions.

Voice and WhatsApp: Coexisting for the Ultimate Solution

It’s important to remember that, while WhatsApp is revolutionising customer communication, Voice will always have a critical place in the contact centre. In particular, we find that urgent, complex or emotionally charged issues often require a human touch, and Voice channels remain the most effective way to provide that – there’s nothing like speaking voice to voice to a sympathetic person over the phone when someone has an issue or challenge.

The future for contact centres lies in balancing these channels, allowing customers to choose the method that best suits their needs at a particular time. WhatsApp can handle routine queries and initial touchpoints, while Voice agents step in for more complex interactions. Together, they form a complementary strategy that maximises efficiency and satisfaction.

Leading Her Team with Strength and Motivation

Posted on 10 April 202518 February 2026 by Suhail Dinat

Meet our Experts: Spotlight on Trisha Francey

At Vox, we value, support and actively engage people with the levels of expertise that we require to keep us moving forward as a company. In this edition of ‘Meet our Experts’, we find out more about Trisha Francey, who heads up the Vox Marketing Department. Trisha is renowned for her holistic marketing skills while combining this with a perpetually edgy and fun-filled energy within the department.

There’s something magical about successful women in the workplace.

Perhaps it’s because it’s an honour to be living in a time where boundaries are broken and glass ceiling shattered daily. Perhaps it’s a deep rooted, intrinsic desire to see them succeed. Perhaps because, deep down, we understand the years of sacrifices and unrecognised dedication from mothers, wives, and women alike and are finally happy to see them thrive. Perhaps it’s all the above.

Whatever the case, nothing warms our hearts more than seeing a strong, determined woman climb the corporate ladder and thrive. Which is why today’s People of Vox feature is about one such Wonder Woman – a mother of three, a fearless leader, and the head of our Vox Marketing Department, Trisha Francey.

Hers is a story of grit, determination, and motivation – a living indication that it’s possible to self-drive your way to success. Trisha’s journey in Vox began 9 years ago nowhere near the marketing department. In fact, she began as a Sales Agent with just four years of formal marketing training and experience. Already balancing a husband and child, she was chasing commissions and cold calling to the death.

Life, as it tends to do, had other plans, and within a short period of time she found herself applying her natural organisational talents and keen eye for detail within the Marketing Department as a Media Buyer. This is where most people would stay in their box and vegetate, but Trisha being Trisha, she decided to level up her game and make the role her own. As the months passed, she began learning, adapting, and upskilling – getting to grips with other core elements of the department, understanding the fundamentals of the game, and increasing her responsibility within the team.

It was only a matter of time before her input was highly respected amongst her peers, and Trisha went from Media Buyer to Studio Lead. Therein, she was responsible for the daily output of her colleagues as well as providing creative feedback, conflict management, strategic direction and ultimately driving the success of some of our best initial campaigns.

Unofficially, she was recognised behind closed doors as the departmental 2IC, but within the team we already knew that she was our go-to person and the calm within our (admittedly chaotic) department.

Marketing looks fun, but it’s a lot of pressure, moving parts, and rapidly shifting deadlines. Anyone who’s ever worked with a creative team understands the volatile nature of multiple unconventional personality types – but Trisha was the glue that held us together.

After years of silently working her way through the ranks and earning the respect of her peers, an opportunity presented itself as our then Marketing Head resigned – leaving a vacant position to be filled. Whilst a replacement was sourced, three guesses who stepped up (again) to take the lead? It was then literally a departmental celebration when her role was officially confirmed, and the woman who arrived as just another Sales Agent was now the Head of Vox Marketing.

Did we mention that during this time, she got married and had two more kids?

Now, let’s hear from the woman herself:

“My heart and my motivation belong to my husband and my girls. I want my daughters to see the leader I am in all that I do, both professionally and casually. I want them to grow up with fierce spirits and the belief that they can be strong, independent women, just like their mom.

“What I want to achieve with this business and my role is to create a team where each member believes wholeheartedly in themselves and in the mission of our company. Having experienced the growth that I have and built a solid foundation myself; I want to share that vision and inspire the team to recognise their own worth and the value of their time and effort. I see them not as number, but rather as individuals, each with their own story, and I appreciate their contributions.”

Trisha blends an internal fortitude (which comes out when toughness is required) with an almost innate ability to understand the unique personalities and needs of each individual in her department. Her biggest strength is playing to our strengths, juggling our unique personality types with an ever-shifting work environment yet making sure deadlines are met and quality maintained.

Have a personal problem? She has your back. Have an opinion? Anyone can share it. Multiple people within her team have grown, received promotions, and similarly upskilled themselves within a short frame of time – growth and development which wouldn’t be possible without good management and ample support. Her biggest mentor? Our CEO, Jacques Du Toit, from who she has learned through example how to be firm, fair, and still stay sane at the end of the day.

Highlights under her leadership include the launch of Vox Weather, the implementation of our new Vox CI, the successful launch and growth of multiple sister companies (such as HYPA), and the transformation of our Social Media department from one person uploading Facebook posts to an entire department of skilled specialists creating cool content daily.

Social media | Vox | Leading Her Team with Strength and Motivation — An entire team is responsible for this awesome Vox social media post…

There’s something magical about successful women in the workplace.

There’s something even more magical about watching a story of grit and excellence come to a climax. Trisha is testament to grabbing the brass ring and running with it. To using initiative, upskilling, putting in the hours and stepping out of your comfort zone to earn – not demand – respect and make a position yours. Through the years, she has worked her way to the top, and we’re currently in her title reign (we’re here for it though!).

Download Speeds Don’t Match Your Internet Plan…?

Posted on 3 April 202527 November 2025 by Keith Laaks

If you’ve upgraded your Fibre plan and noticed download speeds aren’t always hitting full capacity, you’re not alone. The number on your bill is the connection’s theoretical top limit. What you actually see when downloading files or running a speed test is throughput: the real‑world speed after congestion, equipment limits and routing are taken into account. Let’s unpack the difference between capacity and throughput, the most common causes of slow download speeds, and practical steps you can take to get better performance from your Vox connection.

Download Speeds: Capacity versus throughput

Think of your Internet plan as a highway speed limit. Capacity is the legal limit printed on the sign — the maximum the road is designed to allow. Throughput is the speed you actually travel at, which depends on traffic, your vehicle and road conditions.

Capacity (the speed limit)

Capacity is the theoretical maximum data rate (measured in Mbps or Gbps) your service can support under ideal conditions.

Throughput (your achieved speed)

Throughput is the actual transfer rate you experience. It’s usually lower than capacity because of congestion, protocol overhead, packet loss and other real‑world effects.

The main reasons your download speeds can be lower than your plan

1. Your plan is capacity, not a guaranteed sustained throughput

ISPs advertise the maximum capacity of the access link. That number represents the upper limit under ideal conditions, not a guaranteed sustained rate at every moment.

2. Network contention (shared bandwidth)

ISPs and Fibre operators design networks using contention ratios so they can offer high speeds at affordable prices. For example, ten customers with 1Gbps packages might share a single 1Gbps pipe (a 10:1 contention ratio). Off‑peak you’ll usually see near‑plan speeds; peak times (evenings) can reduce download speeds if many users are active simultaneously.

3. Your device and home equipment

Older laptops, phones or network cards might not support the latest standards needed for gigabit‑class speeds. Likewise, older routers or poor cabling can bottleneck a fast line.

4. Wi‑Fi vs wired connections

Wi‑Fi adds overhead and is subject to interference, distance and signal loss. For consistent maximum throughput, a wired Ethernet connection is best. Modern Wi‑Fi (Wi‑Fi 5/6/6E) can approach wired speeds, but this depends on both the router and your hardware.

5. The server or service you’re downloading from

The website, cloud service or CDN you’re downloading from may limit upload speed on their end. If their server can’t send data faster, your download speeds won’t reach your line’s capacity no matter how fast your subscription is.

6. Protocol and transmission overheads

TCP/IP and other protocols introduce overhead and controls (retransmissions, congestion control) that reduce net throughput. On very high‑speed links, these effects become more visible.

7. Network path and third‑party routing

Your ISP only controls a part of the route your data takes. Congestion or limits on intermediate networks or peering points can reduce throughput.

8. Speed test variables

Different speed tests use different test servers and routes. For consistent results, test from the same device, using the same server, and at different times of day.

Contention ratios — what they mean for you

Contention is how providers share capacity to keep costs reasonable. The typical trade‑offs are:

Benefit: Lower monthly prices while maintaining good real‑world performance for most users.
Peak behaviour: If many customers in your shared group use heavy bandwidth at once, the shared pipe is divided among active users.
Reality: Most usage (streaming, browsing, video calls) is burst-y, not constant, so contention works well for everyday needs.

How to maximise your download speeds

Use a wired Ethernet connection for speed‑sensitive tasks and for testing.
Reboot your router and device occasionally to clear temporary issues.
Upgrade ageing equipment: choose a router and network card that match your plan (gigabit Ethernet, Wi‑Fi 5/6/6E where appropriate).
Reduce background apps, automatic updates and cloud backups while testing or downloading.
Run speed tests at different times to identify peak‑time contention. Use reputable test servers near your location.
Try downloading from another server to rule out a slow source.
If you’ve tried the above and still see persistent issues, Contact Vox Support for diagnostic help.

Quick checklist before you call Support

Did you test on a wired device?
Is your router and device recent enough for your package?
Have you tested at different times of day?
Are background applications or devices using bandwidth?
Have you tried another download source to compare?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my speed test show lower than my plan?
Speed tests measure throughput at a moment in time. Contention, Wi‑Fi, device limits and the test server’s capacity can all reduce the result compared to a plan’s theoretical maximum.

Will I always get my full plan speed?
No. The advertised speed is the maximum capacity. Actual speeds vary with network congestion, equipment and routing.

Is wired always faster than Wi‑Fi?
Wired Ethernet is generally more consistent because it avoids wireless interference and overhead. The best Wi‑Fi gear can approach wired speeds, but results depend on hardware and environment.

Can Vox change contention on my line?
Contention is part of network design across ISPs and wholesale providers. Vox continually monitors and upgrades capacity; if you experience persistent slow speeds, contact Vox Support for diagnosis and options.

Understanding capacity versus throughput helps set realistic expectations and shows where you can improve performance. Want help or a faster plan? Compare our Fibre plans, check your speed, or contact us for guidance.

Looking After Your Contact Centre’s Rands and Sense

Posted on 26 March 202531 March 2025 by Natalie van der Merwe

The Economic Benefits of a Locally Based Solution

Operational efficiency and customer satisfaction are critically important for contact centres. However, looking to global providers for the required cutting-edge technology generally comes with a globally sourced price tag, which can be costly in Rand terms. Add in the infamous volatility of the Rand and you’re looking at a financial headache, at best, and cost-cutting exercises at worst, just to stay with internationally based technology. The solution lies closer to home.

The primary purpose of a contact centre is to offer customers efficient and effective technical support, customer service and sales assistance. But at what cost does this happen – and can your business survive currency upheaval, which has a very real impact on the local economy across the spectrum?

The volatility of the Rand is a significant hazard for South African companies, because it’s seen as a proxy for emerging market investment. This makes the local currency highly exposed to external shocks and global events, and thus very unpredictable.

In turn, this has negative effects on potential investment and local business operations. It therefore makes sense to go with a locally sourced provider that operates cost-effectively yet still according to global standards of expertise.

This is where the partnership between Vox and Smartz Solutions is a game changer for the South African contact centre market. Both companies, with deep and proudly South African roots, bring together local expertise, innovation and a profound understanding of the market, to deliver exceptional products and services.

World-class Technology, Stable Costing

Many global providers price their solutions in US dollars or euros, exposing businesses to exchange rate fluctuations. A sudden depreciation of local currency can double or triple the cost of maintaining these platforms, wreaking havoc on budgets. As a case in point: the Rand has once again been volatile over the last year,[1] ranging from R19.23 against the US Dollar in April 2024 to R17.10 in September 2024.

For contact centres operating in dollar- or Euro-based terms, costs can quickly become very onerous – and yet the issue of a quality service offering is not negotiable.

In answer, Vox has partnered with Smartz Solutions to offer advanced, cloud-based contact centre solutions that are geared to deliver exceptional customer experiences and thereby support businesses.

In addition, Smartz Solutions provides a local offering that is innovative, cost-effective and tailored to meet regional needs while solving global problems. This means that Smartz Solutions is levelling the playing field by offering world-class technology at a fraction of the cost.

‘Smart’ Benefits for Local Contact Centres

Smartz Solutions offers world-class platforms that are priced and designed for local realities. It’s able to deliver the following economic and strategic advantages:

Cost efficiency without compromise: By pricing its solutions, professional services and support in Rands, Smartz Solutions ensures cost predictability by eliminating exchange rate risks. This assists organisations with their planning and allows them to allocate resources effectively, without sacrificing functionality or quality.
Faster support and customisation: Being locally based means quicker response times and lower costs for support and customisation. Smartz Solutions is quick and responsive, ensuring seamless operations.
Agility and Innovation: Free from the bureaucratic constraints of larger organisations, local companies can move quickly and innovate at a pace that global competitors often struggle to match.
Deep Understanding of Local Needs: Local companies often have an intimate understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities within their markets, enabling them to design bespoke solutions. They also understand cultural and contextual nuances, which allows them to foster stronger connections with their customers.

By choosing local providers like Vox in partnership with Smartz Solutions, businesses can navigate global challenges with confidence, ensuring they remain customer focused as well as competitive and agile. As an additional value-add, choosing to support local companies contributes to the growth of South Africa’s tech ecosystem – another win.

Smartz Solutions understands the importance of localised, cost-effective solutions and pricing. So why pay Dollars, Euros or Pounds for your contact centre technology, when your Rands will go further for the same quality and functionality? Local solutions are economically viable and also strategically advantageous for businesses that need to stay in contact with their customers.

With Vox and Smartz Solutions, you get continued customer service excellence that simultaneously helps you to look after your Rands and cents.

Which is only common sense, right?

[1] https://businesstech.co.za/news/finance/816948/how-much-the-rand-should-be-worth/

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Ransomware and identity protection

Multi‑device support and minimal impact

When you need a digital bodyguard

Quick internet safety tips

Want Norton with Vox?

Frequently Asked Questions

Download Speeds: Capacity versus throughput

Capacity (the speed limit)

Throughput (your achieved speed)

The main reasons your download speeds can be lower than your plan

1. Your plan is capacity, not a guaranteed sustained throughput

2. Network contention (shared bandwidth)

3. Your device and home equipment

4. Wi‑Fi vs wired connections

5. The server or service you’re downloading from

6. Protocol and transmission overheads

7. Network path and third‑party routing

8. Speed test variables

Contention ratios — what they mean for you

How to maximise your download speeds

Quick checklist before you call Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Available in your area