Business VoIP phone systems for South African SMEs, from R299/mo

R0.32/min to Telkom landlines and R0.60/min to other networks, ex VAT. Unlimited calling is quote-only.

Implementation is covered by our fast implementation guarantee (on-time delivery). We scope porting and go-live dates with you before you sign.

The numbers included in your plan are free. Each extra number is R20/mo ex VAT.

Yes. Porting is from R180 ex VAT.

VoIP needs a connection. Take calls on the mobile app over mobile data, or add LTE failover (R499/mo add-on) to MWCom fibre (from R999). We don't guarantee uptime.

Compare number porting, what's included in the plan fee, extra-number cost, what happens when the internet drops, contract terms, and support. Use the checklist on this page under how to choose a VoIP phone system.

No. VoIP runs over your internet connection — no new Telkom landline required. Use IP handsets or the mobile/desktop app.

Free app-based VoIP numbers exist, but they usually aren't geographic or portable business numbers and don't include business support. Plan numbers included with MWCom VoIP are free; extra numbers are R20/mo ex VAT.

A cloud PBX is your business phone system hosted in the provider's data centre instead of hardware in your office. VoIP carries the calls; the cloud PBX manages extensions, routing, and features.

For most small businesses, a cloud (hosted) PBX: no hardware box, one number for the team, and an app on staff mobiles. MWCom's Essential bundle is from R299/mo ex VAT for 5 extensions (R60 each), with every feature except recording. Pre-configured handsets are shipped, and calls divert to a mobile if the internet is down.

A cloud VoIP line is usually the cheapest: no PABX hardware and no copper line rental. MWCom charges R60 per extension a month ex VAT, and Essential gives 5 extensions from R299/mo, with your first number included. Calls are separate, from R0.32/min. Extra numbers are R20/month and porting is from R180 ex VAT.

The main options are a traditional on-site PABX, a cloud (hosted) PBX, and mobile-only setups. For most SMEs, a cloud PBX is simplest. MWCom bundles extensions at R60 each ex VAT: Essential from R299 (5 extensions), Professional R899 (up to 15 users) and Enterprise R2,999 (about 50 extensions).

Usually not directly. A normal analogue landline phone needs an adapter (an ATA) to work on VoIP, and features like transfers and extensions are limited. An IP desk phone or the mobile app works best. MWCom ships pre-configured handsets, so you just plug them into your router, and extensions are R60 a month ex VAT.

Yes. VoIP needs an internet connection, not Wi-Fi specifically. Desk phones usually plug into the network with a cable, and the mobile app can use mobile data. With MWCom, if the internet at your office goes down, calls divert to a mobile automatically, and LTE failover (from R499/mo ex VAT, depending on location) keeps the line up.

No. A VoIP phone needs an internet connection, not a copper landline socket. MWCom can port your existing landline number to VoIP from R180 ex VAT, so customers keep dialling the same number.

Most modern business routers work with VoIP. Turn off SIP ALG if calls drop or ring one way, and prioritise voice traffic (QoS) if you have it. MWCom ships pre-configured handsets that register when you plug them into your router or switch, and our team helps if your router needs a setting changed.

It works like one for callers: you get a normal business number that rings desk phones. But VoIP runs over the internet, not copper, so the same number also rings mobile apps, and you get extensions, IVR and queues. MWCom can port your landline number from R180 ex VAT, and extensions are R60 a month ex VAT.

Yes. Most businesses can replace a landline with VoIP and keep their number by porting it, which costs from R180 ex VAT with MWCom. You then pay R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with calls from R0.32/min. Pre-configured handsets are shipped, and if your internet drops, calls divert to a mobile automatically.

The main types are traditional landlines (copper), on-site PBX or PABX systems, hosted (cloud) PBX or VoIP, and mobile-only setups. Small businesses mostly choose hosted VoIP because there is no hardware and staff can use desk phones or an app. MWCom's costs R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with calls from R0.32/min.

IP desk phones and softphones that support SIP work with hosted VoIP. Most analogue landline handsets need an ATA adapter. MWCom ships pre-configured IP handsets that register when you plug them into your router, and extensions are R60 a month ex VAT.

A PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a business's private phone system. It connects internal extensions and routes calls to and from outside lines, with features like IVR menus, call queues, transfers and voicemail. Most businesses now use a hosted (cloud) PBX instead of an on-site box. MWCom's costs R60 per extension a month ex VAT.

A PBX connects your extensions to each other and to outside lines. When a call comes in, it plays an IVR menu or rings a group, queues callers and transfers calls between staff. Internal calls stay on the system. A hosted PBX does this in the cloud: MWCom's costs R60 per extension a month ex VAT.

A VoIP PBX (or IP PBX) is a business phone system that routes calls over the internet instead of copper lines. It gives you extensions, IVR, queues and call transfer. PBX describes the system and VoIP describes the technology, so most modern PBXs are VoIP. MWCom's hosted VoIP PBX is R60 per extension a month ex VAT.

PBX is the phone system that routes calls between extensions and the outside world. VoIP is the technology that carries those calls over the internet. Most modern business PBXs are IP PBX or hosted VoIP systems. MWCom's hosted VoIP PBX is R60 per extension a month ex VAT.

Yes. Mitel makes PBX phone systems, both on-site hardware and cloud versions. Many South African offices still run older Mitel PABX boxes. Moving to a hosted PBX removes the hardware and maintenance: MWCom's cloud PBX is R60 per extension a month ex VAT, and we can port your existing numbers from R180 ex VAT.

Hosted PBX system fees in South Africa typically start from R59–R65 per extension (Vox OmniOne, Euphoria; check their sites for VAT and current pricing). MWCom is R60 per extension per month excl. VAT with enterprise-grade features included except call recording (R20 per extension, minimum 5). Essential is R299/month for 5 extensions; Professional R899/mo for up to 15 extensions; Enterprise R2,999/mo for around 50 extensions. Call charges are billed separately. Current MWCom call rates: Telkom landlines R0.32/min, all other networks R0.60/min (excl. VAT). Unlimited call plans are available on request; not included in Essential R299. Prepaid CallTime (Afrihost, Axxess) starts from R50 airtime bundles.

South Africa has two main VoIP models: prepaid CallTime (Afrihost, Axxess) and hosted PBX (Euphoria, Switch Telecom, Vox, MWCom). Afrihost and Axxess sell CallTime airtime from R50–R500 bundles, good for light calling. Euphoria, Switch, and Vox offer hosted PBX from roughly R59–R260/month depending on extensions; check their sites for current VAT-inclusive pricing. MWCom offers hosted PBX from R299/month (Essential, 5 extensions) with Johannesburg-based support and optional LTE failover (R499/mo). WhichVoIP.co.za lists additional providers. There is no single best provider; match prepaid vs hosted PBX to your call volume and team size.

Fibre or stable business broadband is strongly recommended for hosted PBX. VoIP needs low latency and consistent bandwidth (roughly 100 kbps per concurrent call). LTE/5G can work as primary or backup. MWCom provides business internet and optional LTE failover (R499/mo add-on) so calls can continue if fibre drops. Pair VoIP with uncontended business connectivity where possible.

WhatsApp calling uses internet (VoIP) technology, but it isn't a business phone system. It has no extensions, call queues, IVR or landline number, and you can't port your company number to it. A business VoIP service like MWCom gives you a real number and extensions at R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with calls from R0.32/min.

Hosted VoIP means your phone system runs in the provider's cloud and calls travel over your internet connection. There's no PABX box on site. MWCom's hosted VoIP is R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with pre-configured handsets shipped and calls diverting to a mobile if your internet goes down.

Not to call normal numbers. A VoIP phone needs a provider (a SIP trunk or hosted PBX) to give you a phone number and connect calls to landlines and mobiles. MWCom supplies the number, extensions and pre-configured handsets at R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with calls from R0.32/min.

There is no official “top 5” ranking; choose prepaid CallTime vs hosted PBX to match your team and call volume. Five names South African businesses often compare are MWCom, Euphoria Telecom, Vox, Switch Telecom, and 3CX (software licences plus your own SIP trunk). Checked 10 November 2026 on https://www.euphoria.co.za/pricing/: Express R65, Enterprise R85, and Call Buster R185 per extension per month ex VAT; base setup R1,500; R65 setup per extension; porting R250/number. 3CX yearly USD licences by simultaneous calls (checked 10 November 2026, https://www.3cx.com/ordering/pricing/: 8SC Basic $300/yr, 8SC Pro $395/yr), excluding SIP trunk, call charges, and local reseller margin. MWCom hosted PBX is R60 per extension per month ex VAT with every feature included except call recording; outbound calls from R0.32/min (Telkom landlines) and R0.60/min (other networks). Confirm current Vox and Switch Telecom pricing on their sites before you decide.

You can, with open-source PBX software on your own server, but you then manage the hardware, security, updates, SIP trunks and numbers yourself. Most SMEs choose hosted instead. MWCom runs the PBX for you at R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with every feature except call recording included and handsets shipped pre-configured.

Telkom is the traditional fixed-line operator, and Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom Mobile run the mobile networks. For business phone systems, many companies now use hosted VoIP providers. MWCom supplies hosted VoIP at R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with calls from R0.32/min to Telkom landlines and R0.60/min to other networks.

Reliability depends on both the provider and your internet connection. Look for good call quality, local support and failover. With MWCom, calls divert to a mobile automatically if your internet drops, and the optional LTE failover add-on (from R499/mo ex VAT, depending on location) switches to backup internet when fibre drops so VoIP can stay up when configured.

Setting up your own VoIP server means installing PBX software on a server, buying SIP trunks and numbers, configuring extensions and securing it against fraud. It is a specialist job. Most businesses use a hosted PBX instead. MWCom sets everything up and ships pre-configured handsets, at R60 per extension a month ex VAT.

Common VoIP problems are choppy audio, dropped calls and delay. They are usually caused by a weak or busy internet connection, a poorly set-up router or a power or fibre outage. Good providers prioritise voice traffic and plan for outages. With MWCom, calls divert to a mobile if the internet drops, and LTE failover (from R499/mo ex VAT, depending on location) is available.

WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype and FaceTime all use VoIP to carry calls over the internet. They are good for app-to-app calls, but they do not give your business a normal phone number with extensions, IVR and call queues. MWCom's hosted VoIP does, at R60 per extension a month ex VAT, with calls from R0.32/min.

Yes, with a good connection and a backup plan. Business VoIP gives clear calls over fibre, plus extensions, IVR and queues. The risk is internet outages, so MWCom diverts calls to a mobile automatically when your line drops, and offers LTE failover from R499/mo ex VAT (depending on location) so your line can switch to backup internet when fibre drops.

A traditional on-site PBX means buying hardware plus installation and maintenance. A hosted PBX has no box to buy: with MWCom you pay R60 per extension a month ex VAT, and Essential bundles 5 extensions from R299/mo. Call recording is R20 per extension (min 5), and calls are separate, from R0.32/min.