Every business stands to benefit from leveraging Voice over IP for calling in their business, but with all the options to choose from the choice can seem complicated.
Fortunately, we’re here to simplify the process and answer the most common questions you need to know before deciding on a suitable solution and providers for your business. Browse through the options and be sure to play around with the search option, too!
PS. If you want to know WHY we’ve asked this information, navigate to the bottom of the page for the reasons why it should matter to you!
Want to find a VoIP provider near you? Click here to go to the Directory.
Provider | Is an Operator or Reseller? | Call Packages and Rates | Setup Fee | Keep your number | Use existing PABX | Contract Term | Use your own Internet? | Support |
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![]() View Ratings | Reseller | No Monthly Subs. Call Rates National - 24c Mobile - 50c VoIP to VoIP - 35c - 50c | None | Calendar Month | Monitoring - We have remote access into all our sites and we have a dedicated support desk available to attend to any customer enquiry within minutes. Guaranteed response time - When phoning into the support desk calls will be answered within a minute, should all agents be busy they will call the client back asap within a 15 minute window. Support Cost - Remote support is free of charge, should there be a physical need for onsite support a call out fee is applicable. 99% of all requests can usually be resolved remotely. User and system Admin charges -Included Support hours - We operate between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, we can cater for after-hours services but an additional SLA will apply. |
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![]() View Ratings | Reseller | R 25.00 per Channel Call Rates National - 25c Mobile - 45c On-Network - 10c VoIP to VoIP - 35c - 55c | None | Calendar Month | Monitoring - Full monitoring and remote management is offered. Guaranteed response time - 30 minute MTT response Support Cost - Remote & Telephone support free up to 10 ext. R695 Pretoria area – other areas can be quoted. R15 per extension per month up to 50 exts, R10 per extension per month up to 100exts, R8 per ext for more than 100 exts. User and system Admin charges Included, but will be discussed in detailed SLA Support hours - 24/7 |
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![]() View Ratings | Reseller | No Monthly Subs. Call Rates National - 24c Mobile - 47c On-Network - No charge | None | Calendar Month. 12, 24, 36, 48 Months depending on Hardware finance. | Monitoring - We have remote access into all our sites and we have a dedicated support desk available to attend to any customer enquiry within minutes. Guaranteed response time - When phoning into the support desk calls will be answered within a minute, should all agents be busy they will call the client back asap within a 15 minute window. Support Cost - Remote support is free of charge, should there be a physical need for onsite support a call out fee is applicable. 99% of all requests can usually be resolved remotely. User and system Admin charges -Included Support hours - We operate between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, we can cater for after-hours services but an additional SLA will apply. |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | VoIP line Monthly Service Fee: R49.00 (including VAT) for a 2 channel VoIP Line VoIP Trunk Monthly Service Fee: R100.00 (including VAT) for 4 channels R25.00 (including VAT) per extra channel VoIP Trunk Optional Monthly Service Fee: R10.00 (including VAT) per additional individual number R50.00 (including VAT) per block of 10 sequential numbers R250.00 including VAT) per block of 100 sequential numbers *A VoIP Trunk can be used in connection with a Switch Telecom Hosted Switchboard or any other VoIP/SIP Switchboard. Call Rates - Package 1 (Excl VAT) - Calls charged in 30-second increments with a minimum of 60 seconds. National - 24c Mobile - 43c On-Network - 13c VoIP to VoIP - 24c Switch Telecom also offers the following services: Number Porting Hosted Switchboards IP Faxing Teleconferencing Professional Voice Recording (IVR) Call Recording International Numbers Toll Free Numbers | None | Calendar Month | Monitoring - Full proactive monitoring offered. Guaranteed response times. Changes can be made via an online portal 24/7 alternatively our support team will assist. Support Cost – No Charge. User and System Admin Charges – No Charge. Support Hours – 8am to 5pm (Afterhours support for SLA clients). Clients can access the Hosted Switchboard Platform via the Switch Telecom Client Zone 24/7 |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | VoIP line Monthly Service Fee: R49.00 (including VAT) for a 2 channel VoIP Line VoIP Trunk Monthly Service Fee: R100.00 (including VAT) for 4 channels R25.00 (including VAT) per extra channel VoIP Trunk Optional Monthly Service Fee: R10.00 (including VAT) per additional individual number R50.00 (including VAT) per block of 10 sequential numbers R250.00 including VAT) per block of 100 sequential numbers *A VoIP Trunk can be used in connection with a Switch Telecom Hosted Switchboard or any other VoIP/SIP Switchboard. Call Rates - Package 2 (Excl VAT) - All rates are quoted per-minute. Calls charged per second from the first second. National - 26c Mobile - 52c On-Network - 15c VoIP to VoIP - 26c Switch Telecom also offers the following services: Number Porting Hosted Switchboards IP Faxing Teleconferencing Professional Voice Recording (IVR) Call Recording International Numbers Toll Free Numbers | None | Calendar Month | Monitoring - Full proactive monitoring offered. Guaranteed response times. Changes can be made via an online portal 24/7 alternatively our support team will assist. Support Cost – No Charge. User and System Admin Charges – No Charge. Support Hours – 8am to 5pm (Afterhours support for SLA clients). Clients can access the Hosted Switchboard Platform via the Switch Telecom Client Zone 24/7 |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | No Monthly Subs. Call Rates National - 26c Mobile (Vodacom/MTN) - 60c Mobile (Cell C/8ta) - 65c On-Network - No charge VoIP to VoIP - 30c - 40c | Installation Fee applicable - project dependent. | 12, 24, 36, 48 Months depending on Hardware finance. | Monitoring - Monitoring of access service and call quality offered Guaranteed response time - We have service level response for the severity of incidents. Severity 1 - 2 Support Hrs /Resolution Time: 6 Support Hrs Severity 2 - 4 Support Hrs; Resolution Time: 12 Support Hrs Severity 3 - 8 Support Hrs; Resolution Time: 1.1 Support Cost - No cost for remote support. Call out for site visit is R795 for the first hour and then R695 per hour User and system Admin charges - Included Support hours - Support hours are from 7am to 6pm and thereafter standby support is available. |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | R 50.00 per Channel Call Rates National - 35c Mobile - 75c On-Network - No charge VoIP to VoIP - 35c - 78c | R 100.00 setup fee + Installation Fee applicable - project dependent. | Calendar Month | Monitoring - Full monitoring offered Guaranteed response time - We have service level agreements in place that provide response time guarantees. SLA level dependent. Support Cost - Varies depending on services required and contract. User and system Admin charges - Varies depending on services required and contractual agreement Support hours - 24/7 |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | No Monthly Subs. Call Rates National - 26c Mobile - 60c On-Network - No charge VoIP to VoIP - 30c - 40c | Installation Fee applicable - project dependent. | 12, 24, 36, 48 Months depending on Hardware finance. | Monitoring - Monitoring of access service and call quality offered Guaranteed response time - We have service level response for the severity of incidents. Severity 1 - 2 Support Hrs /Resolution Time: 6 Support Hrs Severity 2 - 4 Support Hrs; Resolution Time: 12 Support Hrs Severity 3 - 8 Support Hrs; Resolution Time: 1.1 Support Cost - No cost for remote support. Call out for site visit is R795 for the first hour and then R695 per hour User and system Admin charges - Included Support hours - Support hours are from 7am to 6pm and thereafter standby support is available. |
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![]() View Ratings | Reseller | 1-25 Channels - R 70.00 per month 26 - 50 Channels - R 60.00 per month 51 - 100 Channels - R 50.00 per month Call Rates Landline - 35c Mobile - 63c On-Network - No charge VoIP to VoIP - 35c -78c | None | Calendar Month | Monitoring - We have a TMS that’s accessed via our website. Permissions for different levels of control and reporting can be established on an individual user basis. Guaranteed response time - 2hrs Support Cost - Support is included in the basic service fees. User and system Admin charges - Included Support hours - 24/7/365 |
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![]() View Ratings | Reseller | R 70.00 per month Call Rates National - 35c Mobile - 85c On-Network - No charge VoIP to VoIP - 35c - 85c | R 250.00 setup fee. | Calendar Month | Monitoring - Not offered Guaranteed response time - We do not have a guaranteed response time, but it is generally immediate if clients call in. Support Cost - No charge User and system Admin charges - No charge Support hours - We offer 24/7 emergency support and are available for regular queries between 9 and 5 on weekdays |
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![]() View Rating | Licensed Operator | VoIP Voice Plan - 1 Voice Session (SIP) Telkom-to-Telkom calls - 30c Calls to other mobile/fixed operators - 50c VoIP-to-VoIP - No Charge Selected international calls - 79c Unlimited VoIP Plan 5 - 5 Voice Sessions (SIP) Subscription fee R1599 Unlimited VoIP Plan 10 - 10 Voice Sessions (SIP) Subscription fee R2999 Call Rates Telkom-to-Telkom calls (mobile, local & national) and other operators (mobile & fixed) unlimited* VoIP-to-VoIP - No Charge Selected international calls - 79c per minute | None | 24 Months | Monitoring - Full monitoring and remote management is offered. Changes can be made via an online portal 24/7 alternatively our support team will assist. Support hours - 24/7 |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | Home User 1: Uncapped Calling - R 305 incl VAT per month. Home User 2: Flat rate per call - R 25.00 per month incl VAT. Home User option 2: 40c to all South African destinations (fixed and mobile). VoIP to VoIP Call Rates - 40c | Home User 1 & 2: Setup Fee R 47.00 (incl VAT) | Home User option 1 & 2 - Calendar Month | Monitoring - Full monitoring offered Guaranteed response time - If a customer takes and advanced SLA we offer guaranteed response times and well as guaranteed hardware swap out times. Support Cost - General business support is free. Advanced SLA charges cover Premium desk support with guaranteed uptime and support timeframes. Support hours - 24/7/365 |
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![]() View Ratings | Licensed Operator | Uncapped Calling for Business Option 1: 5 Channels - R1,299 10 Channels - R3,199 15 Channels - R6,499 Cristal Voice - R 120 (unlimited channels) Vox Saffire - low call rates for Businesses, includes all hardware and Fibre connectivity. Only pay for the calls made. Voice call rates for Business - when bundled with 10Mb and 20Mb Fibre data services. Free voice bundled with 50Mb Fibre to the business services (R0 subscription for voice) Free voice bundled with 100Mb Fibre to the business services (R0 subscription for voice) Uncapped calling for business Option 1, 2, 3 Uncapped calling to all SA destinations including select international destinations. Voice call rates for Business Fixed line - 20c per minute Mobile MTN and Vodacom - 25c Mobile Cell C and Telkom Mobile - 29c Above rates are valid for peak and off-peak periods VoIP to VoIP: Included in uncapped calling plan Free voice bundled with 50Mb Fibre to the business 4 uncapped voice channels. Uncapped calling to all SA destinations including select international destinations. VoIP to VoIP: Included in uncapped calling plan Free voice bundled with 100Mb Fibre to the business - 8 uncapped voice channels. Uncapped calling to all SA destinations including select international destinations. VoIP to VoIP: Included in uncapped calling plan. | Uncapped calling for business Option 1 - R 108.00 (excl VAT) Uncapped calling for business Option 2 - R 215.00 (excl VAT) Uncapped calling for business Option 3 - R 323.00 (excl VAT) Cristal Voice - R 59.00 (excl VAT) Vox Saffire - No setup fee Voice call rates for Business - No setup fee Free voice bundled with Fibre - No setup fee | Uncapped calling for business - 1, 2, 3, 12 Months Cristal Voice/Vox Saffire/Voice call rates for Business - 12 Months Free voice bundles with Fibre to the business -12 Months | Monitoring - Full monitoring offered Guaranteed response time - If a customer takes and advanced SLA we offer guaranteed response times and well as guaranteed hardware swap out times. Support Cost - General business support is free. Advanced SLA charges cover Premium desk support with guaranteed uptime and support timeframes. Support hours - 24/7/365 |
So, you want to know why you need to know this information?
Well, we have consulted with hundreds of businesses to understand their main criteria when comparing Telephone Systems. We’ve tried our best to describe why we believe each point is valid.
- Is an Operator or Reseller? – Simply put, the Operator is licensed by the regulator in South Africa, ICASA. An Operator has the direct interconnect agreements with all the other telephony carriers, and owns and manages the infrastructure in totality. There is significant investment and responsibility, and the cost of operating and managing a network is significant. For Resellers, they leverage the infrastructure from these Operators. They may or may not do their own billing, however the are an agent/dealer/reseller and would typically sell what the Operator has to offer, including issuing the phone numbers of the Operator as the Reseller would not be allocated numbers directly by ICASA. Resellers often bring the flexibility and agility that larger networks struggle providing, however, Resellers have no control over the network and therefore will not provide direct support.
- Call Packages and Rates – When it comes to calling packages, there are typically two cost elements – fixed and variable. The fixed costs related to any service subscription fees, which would be payable irrespective of whether a call is made. This fee may be used to cover the fixed costs for running the service. On the variable side, this relates to call usage. Although some providers have different rates, you should consider the cost to call any other network (and there are many), as well as the billing methodology, for example, some providers may bill on a pure per-second basis, whereas some may charge a connection fee and then bill every few seconds. In this case, if your call is only 2 seconds, you will be charged for the full connection fee.
- Setup Fee – It is important to ask your provider what it is going to cost to join their network. That may be for service activation, installation, training, any hardware required, and more.
- Keep your number – If you intend on moving your Telephone service over to another provider, the last thing you may want to do is change all your Telephone numbers. You need to monitor the regulation as some numbers cannot be ported between providers. At the time of writing this content, you are only allowed to port geographic numbers, such as 011-012, etc. Numbers you cannot port include non-geographic such as 087 0800, 086, etc. If your provider says that they can port these numbers, be sure to ask and get in writing that you will not incur any additional costs in running that service, for example, additional call forwarding fees.
- Use existing PABX – Great! You want all the benefit of VoIP but you want to retain your investment in your current Telephone System. Will it work? Well, that would depend on the Telephone System you use, and what you provider prefers to support. A typical solution involves “IP enabling” a legacy system by using a VoIP Gateway, or most Telephone systems today do support what they call SIP Trunks which doesn’t require any physical hardware outside of the Telephone System to integrate VoIP calling services.
- Contract Term – Get to know how long you are committed for, and what your notice period would be – check your contract terms and conditions and be 100% sure of the automatic contract renewal terms of cancellation fees.
- User your own Internet? – Sure, VoIP requires Internet, but if the Provider for your VoIP is not the same as your Internet, you may sit with a fair bit of risk when there are issues. Resolving issues will require both parties to work together to iron out where the issues may be – I am sure you can appreciate how this process typically goes… If you have one provider, the benefit is that the provider can monitor and manage the full connection from end-to-end, and also to a large degree guarantee the call quality, which is very important to any business.
- Support – You need to have this discussion with your Partner. Is there an SLA? Will that give you a guaranteed support response? Does it include all the fees, including callouts? All of these are valuable questions you need to ask, and keep a record of at your office!