Johannesburg: Integrated ICT and infrastructure provider Vox is looking to spur fibre
uptake in several previously disadvantaged communities around South Africa through the
launch of its subsidiary HYPA, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which focuses on providing
cost-effective unlimited wireless connectivity, enabled by fibre, to areas covered by the
Vuma Reach network.
South Africans from across socio-economic backgrounds are increasingly consuming more
content and services online; in areas that do not have any type of fixed-line connectivity,
users are entirely reliant on mobile connectivity, despite the high data costs. In response,
fibre network operators are expanding their networks to cater to customers in areas such as
Mitchells Plain, Grassy Park, Chatsworth, Phoenix, Gonubie, Soweto, Soshanguve, and
Vosloorus.
“Through HYPA, residents of these areas will be able to get affordable, prepaid wireless
internet access at their homes that provide them with unlimited data, which makes it ideal for
streaming videos and music, consuming online services and more. The barriers to entry
have been further reduced as there are no installation or connection fees, or long-term
contracts that users need to sign up for,” says Brink van Zyl, Online Experience Consultant
at Vox.
According to Van Zyl, the cost burden on these customers is further reduced with – the on-
premise optical network terminal (ONT) which is included in the package, the built-in WiFi
functionality that supports up to 10 wirelessly connected devices and a local area network
port for wired connections. This is unlike traditional home fibre installations, which can
include an installation and/or activation fee, and require a separate WiFi-enabled router –
which the user purchases through their ISP or on their own – in order to create a wireless
home network.
“There are currently two products available, both of which feature unlimited data: the first
featuring a download speed of 40Mbps and an upload speed of 10Mbps, and the second
having a download speed of 20Mbps and an upload speed of 10Mbps. These prepaid
offerings can be purchased as a 28-day access package, or as a monthly recurring package
that will be automatically renewed until the ISP is instructed to end the service,” says Van
Zyl.
Customers looking to purchase either of the pre-paid packages can do so on the HYPA
website; depending on the package selected, they can either pay upfront via PayFast, using
a debit or credit card, or through EasyPay via the app or in-store. Customers will
automatically be redirected to the relevant payment gateway, or be provided with the
relevant reference numbers needed to make their payment.
Van Zyl says that HYPA will be looking to work closely with local community organisations
and influencers in order to drive awareness about the benefits of fibre-based connectivity, as
well as the countless opportunities that are opened up through access to unlimited internet.
As part of its community engagement, the company is running a referral programme that rewards people with a R50 voucher for successfully getting a family member or friend to sign
up.
“Customers can check the HYPA website to make sure they are located within a Vuma
Reach coverage area and to sign up for their preferred package, which includes a seamless
RICA process, where users can take photos of their documentation with their mobile devices
and then upload it to our system. Once that is done, an installation appointment will be
scheduled and an accredited installer will install the on-premise equipment so that residents can get connected to stable, unlimited wireless internet,” adds Van Zyl.
