Business Internet Costs South Africa: Complete Pricing Guide
Jethan Maharaj
Tech Lead, MWCOM
Business Internet Pricing Guide
"How much does business internet cost?" is one of the most common questions South African SMEs ask when setting up connectivity. The answer isn't straightforward—pricing varies dramatically based on speed, technology, location, and included services. This comprehensive guide breaks down all costs associated with business internet in South Africa for 2026, helping you budget accurately and avoid surprise expenses.
Business Internet Pricing Overview
Business internet packages in South Africa typically range from R899 to R4,999 per month, depending on several factors. Here's what influences pricing:
- Connection Speed: From 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps
- Technology Type: Fibre, LTE, wireless, or hybrid solutions
- Service Level Agreement (SLA): Guaranteed uptime and repair times
- Support Quality: Standard vs. priority technical assistance
- Additional Features: Static IP, managed WiFi, backup connectivity
- Contract Length: Month-to-month vs. 12/24/36-month agreements
Quick Pricing Reference Table
| Business Size | Recommended Speed | Monthly Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Micro (1-5 employees) | 25-50 Mbps | R899 - R1,499 |
| Small (6-15 employees) | 100-200 Mbps | R1,500 - R2,500 |
| Medium (16-30 employees) | 500 Mbps | R2,500 - R3,500 |
| Large (31+ employees) | 1 Gbps | R3,500 - R4,999+ |
Detailed Breakdown: Fibre Internet Costs
Fibre optic internet is the gold standard for business connectivity in South Africa, offering reliability, speed, and symmetrical upload/download speeds. Here's a detailed cost breakdown:
Entry-Level Business Fibre (25-50 Mbps)
Basic Business Package
R899/month
- 25-50 Mbps download/upload speed
- Uncapped data usage
- Standard business support (email/phone)
- Router rental included
- No SLA guarantee
- No static IP included
Best for: Micro businesses, home offices, startups (1-5 employees)
Mid-Tier Business Fibre (100-200 Mbps)
Professional Package
R1,899/month
- 100-200 Mbps symmetrical speed
- Uncapped data + priority routing
- Business SLA (99.5% uptime guarantee)
- 1 static IP address included
- Business-grade router included
- Priority support (4-hour response)
Best for: Small to medium businesses (6-15 employees) with cloud applications
Enterprise Business Fibre (500 Mbps - 1 Gbps)
Enterprise Package
R3,499 - R4,999/month
- 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps symmetrical
- Uncapped premium bandwidth
- Enterprise SLA (99.9% uptime, 2-hour repair)
- Multiple static IP addresses (/29 subnet)
- Enterprise router + managed firewall
- Dedicated account manager
- 24/7 priority support (1-hour response)
Best for: Larger businesses (16+ employees) with heavy cloud usage, video conferencing, VoIP systems
LTE Business Internet Costs
LTE internet serves two primary business use cases: primary connectivity in areas without fibre coverage, and automatic failover backup for load shedding protection. Here's the pricing breakdown:
LTE as Primary Connection
| Package | Data Allocation | Speed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Business | 100GB | 20-40 Mbps | R1,299 |
| Standard Business | 200GB | 20-50 Mbps | R1,999 |
| Premium Business | Unlimited (throttled after 300GB) | 20-50 Mbps | R2,499 |
LTE Failover Backup (Recommended for Load Shedding)
Essential Backup
R899/month
- 50GB monthly failover data
- Automatic switching (30 seconds)
- LTE router with 4-hour battery
- Installation included
- 24/7 support
Business Pro Backup
R1,499/month
- 100GB monthly failover data
- Priority network access
- LTE router with 8-hour battery
- Load shedding schedule integration
- Premium support (1-hour response)
Load Shedding Essential:
With Stage 4-6 load shedding becoming routine in 2026, LTE failover is no longer optional for South African businesses. The R899-R1,499/month investment prevents revenue losses far exceeding the cost. Learn more about load shedding business solutions.
Hidden Costs & One-Time Fees
Monthly subscription fees are just part of the total cost. Budget for these additional expenses:
Installation & Setup Costs
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre Installation | R1,500 - R3,500 | Often waived on 24-month contract |
| Router Purchase | R1,500 - R4,000 | Or rental R100-R200/month |
| Activation Fee | R500 - R1,000 | One-time admin fee |
| Trenching (if needed) | R2,000 - R10,000 | Depends on distance to fibre point |
| Internal Cabling | R1,000 - R5,000 | Ethernet drops to offices/desks |
| WiFi Access Points | R1,500 - R3,500 each | Depends on office size |
| Network Switch | R800 - R5,000 | For multiple wired connections |
Ongoing Additional Costs
- Static IP Address: R50-R150/month (often free on business packages)
- Additional IP Addresses: R100-R300/month per IP
- Managed WiFi Service: R500-R1,500/month
- Managed Firewall: R800-R2,500/month
- Priority Support Upgrade: R300-R800/month
- VPN Service: R200-R600/month
- Content Filtering: R300-R700/month
Regional Pricing Differences in South Africa
Business internet costs are relatively consistent across major South African cities, but some regional variations exist:
Metro Areas (Competitive Pricing)
Johannesburg & Pretoria
Gauteng's major metros have the most competitive pricing due to multiple fibre providers.
100 Mbps Business Fibre:
R1,500 - R1,899/month
Cape Town
Similar pricing to Johannesburg with strong infrastructure competition.
100 Mbps Business Fibre:
R1,500 - R1,999/month
Durban
Comparable metro pricing with good fibre coverage in business districts.
100 Mbps Business Fibre:
R1,600 - R2,099/month
Secondary Cities
Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit typically 10-20% higher due to less competition.
100 Mbps Business Fibre:
R1,799 - R2,299/month
MWCOM serves businesses across South Africa with competitive, location-independent pricing. View our coverage areas:
How to Choose the Right Package for Your Budget
Don't just select the cheapest package—calculate your true connectivity needs and total cost of ownership:
Step 1: Calculate Required Bandwidth
Use this formula to determine minimum speed requirements:
(Number of Employees × 10 Mbps) + Overhead = Minimum Speed
Examples:
- 5 employees: (5 × 10) + 20% = 60 Mbps minimum → Get 100 Mbps package
- 12 employees: (12 × 10) + 20% = 144 Mbps minimum → Get 200 Mbps package
- 25 employees: (25 × 10) + 20% = 300 Mbps minimum → Get 500 Mbps package
Step 2: Assess Criticality (SLA Requirements)
Consider how downtime impacts your business:
- Low Criticality: Can tolerate 1-2 days downtime → Standard packages (no SLA needed)
- Medium Criticality: Maximum 4-8 hours acceptable → Business SLA (99.5% uptime)
- High Criticality: Cannot tolerate any downtime → Enterprise SLA (99.9%) + LTE failover backup
Step 3: Factor in Load Shedding Protection
In South Africa's current environment, all businesses should budget for backup connectivity:
Recommended Package Combinations
Micro Business (1-5 employees)
50 Mbps Fibre (R899) + Essential LTE Backup (R899) = R1,798/month
Small Business (6-15 employees)
100 Mbps Fibre (R1,899) + Business Pro Backup (R1,499) = R3,398/month
Medium Business (16-30 employees)
500 Mbps Fibre (R3,499) + Business Pro Backup (R1,499) = R4,998/month
Step 4: Calculate Total First-Year Cost
Include all one-time and recurring expenses to avoid budget surprises:
| Cost Component | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|
| Installation & Setup | R3,000 (once-off) |
| Router & Equipment | R2,500 (once-off) |
| 100 Mbps Fibre (12 months) | R22,788 |
| LTE Backup (12 months) | R10,788 |
| Total First Year Cost | R39,076 |
| Subsequent Years (monthly costs only) | R33,576/year |
Cost Saving Tips & Negotiation Strategies
Smart businesses negotiate better deals and optimize spending:
Negotiation Leverage Points
- Multi-Year Contracts: Commit to 24-36 months for 10-20% discount plus waived installation
- Multiple Locations: Bundle internet for multiple offices to negotiate volume discounts
- Bundle Services: Combine internet with VoIP, security, or managed IT for package pricing
- Competitor Quotes: Show competing offers to negotiate price matching
- Upgrade Timing: Negotiate better rates when upgrading speed tiers
Cost Optimization Strategies
- Right-Size Your Package: Don't overpay for excessive speed you'll never use—monitor actual usage
- Own vs. Rent Equipment: Purchase routers outright (R2,500) vs. renting (R150/month = R1,800/year)
- Prioritize Critical Services: Use QoS (Quality of Service) to maximize existing bandwidth before upgrading
- Scheduled Tasks: Run large downloads/backups during off-peak hours to avoid congestion
- Review Annually: Pricing drops regularly—renegotiate or switch providers yearly
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does business internet cost in South Africa?
Business internet in South Africa ranges from R899/month for basic fibre packages (25-50 Mbps) to R4,999/month for enterprise-grade connectivity (1 Gbps) with SLAs. Most SMEs pay R1,500-R2,500/month for reliable 100-200 Mbps fibre with backup solutions. View our complete business internet packages.
Is business internet more expensive than residential?
Yes, business internet typically costs 50-100% more than residential packages due to guaranteed uptime SLAs, faster repair times (2-4 hours vs. 48-72 hours), dedicated support, static IP addresses, and symmetrical upload speeds. The premium ensures reliability critical for business operations where downtime costs money.
What speed business internet do I need?
Small offices (1-5 employees) need 25-50 Mbps, medium offices (6-15 employees) require 100-200 Mbps, and larger offices (16+ employees) should get 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Calculate 10-20 Mbps per concurrent user for cloud applications, VoIP, and video conferencing. Always budget for 20% overhead.
Are there hidden costs with business internet?
Common hidden costs include: installation fees (R1,500-R3,500), router purchase or rental (R1,500-R4,000 once-off or R100-R200/month), activation fees (R500-R1,000), infrastructure fees in commercial buildings, and costs for static IP addresses, managed WiFi, or firewall services. Always request itemized quotes.
How much does LTE business internet cost?
LTE business internet packages range from R899/month (50GB data) for failover backup to R2,499/month (unlimited with throttling after 300GB) for primary connectivity. LTE works as primary connections in areas without fibre coverage or as automatic backup during load shedding. Learn about LTE failover technology.
What does business internet installation cost?
Fibre installation typically costs R1,500-R3,500 once-off, including trenching from the street to your premises and ONT device installation. Some providers waive installation fees on 24-month contracts. LTE installation is usually included in monthly fees or costs R500-R1,000 if charged separately.
Do I need a backup internet connection?
In South Africa's load shedding environment, backup internet is essential for business continuity. LTE failover packages (R899-R1,499/month) automatically activate when primary fibre fails during power outages, preventing revenue loss from downtime. The investment pays for itself by avoiding a single day of lost productivity. See our load shedding solutions guide.
How much does business internet cost in different South African cities?
Pricing is relatively consistent nationwide with major metros (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria) having similar costs (R1,500-R2,500/month for 100 Mbps). Smaller cities may have 10-20% higher prices due to limited infrastructure competition. MWCOM offers consistent nationwide pricing across all service areas.
Can I negotiate business internet prices?
Yes, especially for multi-year contracts or multiple locations. Providers often offer 10-20% discounts for 24-36 month commitments, waived installation fees (saving R1,500-R3,500), free router upgrades, or bundled service discounts. Always request custom quotes and mention competitor pricing rather than accepting standard rates.
What is included in business internet packages?
Standard packages include: specified bandwidth speed, uncapped data usage, router (rental or purchase), basic technical support (email/phone), and installation. Premium packages add static IP addresses, priority support (1-4 hour response), SLA guarantees (99.5-99.9% uptime), managed WiFi services, and automatic backup connectivity solutions.
Get Transparent Pricing from MWCOM
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