SureTel
Orientation only
Business Fibre
FTTH from R599/month · FTTB from R1,400/month
Address, fibre network availability and installation path affect the confirmed option.
Connectivity guide
Wireless vs Fibre Internet for Business
Compare fibre, fixed wireless and Licensed Microwave before choosing connectivity for your South African business.
- Licensed South African ISP
- Since 2010
- ICASA licence 0009/CECS/AUG/09
- South African business focus
- Path 1Fibre infrastructureAddress-dependent availability.
- Path 2Fixed wireless feasibilityCoverage and site review required.
- Path 3Licensed Microwave assessmentSpecialised feasibility and design.
Answer first
Start with the address — then choose a route
Fibre is usually the first connection to assess for a business address, but fixed wireless or Licensed Microwave may suit sites where fibre is unavailable, delayed or unsuitable. The right route depends on the address, site conditions, operational use and resilience needs. SureTel assesses these factors, then recommends a practical path and remains your clear contact for the solution it supplies. Check coverage to begin.
- Fibre is often the first option to assess where infrastructure is available.
- Fixed wireless can be useful where fibre is unavailable, delayed or unsuitable after feasibility checks.
- Licensed Microwave may suit more specialised site-to-site or business-critical requirements.
- Availability, installation approach and suitability must be confirmed for the actual address.
- Check coverage to discuss the practical options for your site.
Key clarification
Start with the site, not the technology
Key clarification: Fibre, fixed wireless and Licensed Microwave are not universal or automatically interchangeable options. Availability, installation path, line-of-sight considerations, site conditions, power and the business requirement must be confirmed before a solution is quoted or presented as suitable.
Businesses often compare technologies after an address has already created a problem: fibre is delayed, the current connection is unreliable, or suppliers are passing an incident between one another. The useful decision is not "which technology wins?" but "which route can realistically support this site and workload?"
| Business problem | What this page clarifies |
|---|---|
| Fibre is not available or a build is still pending | Fixed wireless or Licensed Microwave may be worth assessing, but neither should be assumed available without feasibility. |
| Current internet affects voice clarity, cloud tools or branch work | The connection is one part of the picture; local network, Wi-Fi, voice configuration and supplier boundaries can also matter. |
| The business receives poor incident updates | A buyer needs a clear contact and communication path, with scope defined for the solution supplied. |
| Separate suppliers blame each other | Assessing the connection route, hand-off points and managed scope before deployment can reduce uncertainty during support. |
| The site is industrial, remote or structurally unusual | Address, physical environment and installation requirements can materially change the viable options. |
| A site opening cannot wait indefinitely | A temporary or alternate route may be considered after requirements and feasibility are reviewed. |
Decision grid
When should a business assess fibre, fixed wireless or Licensed Microwave?
There is no universal winner. Fibre is commonly the first route to investigate where it is available; fixed wireless can be practical where the site and installation path support it; Licensed Microwave is a more specialised option for requirements that call for a dedicated radio-link assessment. The final decision follows feasibility and requirements review.
Swipe to compare →
| Assess first when… | Fibre | Fixed wireless | Licensed Microwave |
|---|---|---|---|
| The address has suitable fibre infrastructure and the business needs a fixed primary connection | Assess first | — | — |
| Fibre is unavailable, delayed or unsuitable after a site review | — | Assess | May also be considered |
| The site needs a physical wireless feasibility / line-of-sight assessment | — | Assess | Assess |
| The business has a more specialised connectivity requirement or site-to-site radio-link need | — | — | Assess |
| The buyer needs a connection option for an industrial, warehouse or remote branch setting | Assess availability | Assess feasibility | Assess feasibility where relevant |
| The business needs an interim or alternate route while a primary connection is being planned | Consider timeline | Consider requirements and feasibility | Consider only where appropriate |
No option is labelled "best", "guaranteed", "fastest" or "always more reliable". Each entry means "may fit", "assess" or "subject to feasibility".
Feasibility flow
What should be checked before choosing business connectivity?
A useful comparison needs more than headline technology labels. The assessment should consider the address, available infrastructure, physical site conditions, the services using the connection and what happens when an incident is reported. These inputs help distinguish a workable route from one that merely looks attractive on paper.
- Business address + operational needSite address, intended use and who relies on the connection.
- Infrastructure / coverage checkFibre availability is address-dependent and confirmed per site, not from a suburb or city.
- Site feasibility reviewFixed wireless and Licensed Microwave may require a physical assessment, including line-of-sight or installation considerations.
- Workload and support-scope reviewVoice, cloud tools, local network, power and existing-provider boundaries can affect the final approach.
- Recommendation + quoteSuitability, charges, deployment path and support scope are confirmed before order.
Requirements checklist
- Exact service address and site contact
- Primary business use: voice, cloud applications, branch connectivity, general internet or a mix
- Number of users and business-critical workflows
- Existing connection and the issue being experienced
- Building access, roof / mounting / landlord permissions where relevant
- Local network and power considerations
- Desired support and communications path during a fault
Price orientation
What are the starting cost points?
Starting prices provide orientation, not an address-specific offer. Final pricing can vary with feasibility, provider infrastructure, installation, equipment, support requirements, contract terms and the service design confirmed for the site.
Orientation only
Business Wireless
From R735/month
Coverage, site feasibility, line of sight, equipment and installation affect the confirmed option.
Orientation only
Licensed Microwave
From R1,860/month
Requires a specialised feasibility assessment and solution design.
All prices are shown excluding VAT unless stated otherwise. Not a rate card; final pricing is confirmed after feasibility.
Practical scenarios
Practical examples: what should each business assess?
Scenarios illustrate how different addresses and workloads change the decision. They are not customer case studies and do not promise a specific outcome.
Illustrative
Warehouse moving into a new industrial site
A warehouse is ready to open but the fibre route is not yet confirmed. Staff also rely on cloud stock systems and business calling. The first question is whether fibre can be installed in time; fixed wireless and Licensed Microwave can then be assessed as separate options where the site conditions and requirement support them. The buyer should receive clear updates on what is confirmed, what remains dependent on third parties and what actions are next.
Illustrative
Office with voice-quality complaints and slow cloud tools
An office experiences poor voice quality and slow access to cloud tools, but it is unclear whether the cause is the internet connection, office network, Wi-Fi or voice setup. The page should direct the buyer toward a broader connectivity review rather than presenting a technology swap as an automatic fix. SureTel can assess the supplied solution and communicate clearly about the incident path and scope.
Illustrative
Multi-branch retailer with different address realities
One branch has a viable fibre option, another is awaiting a build, and a third sits in an area where a wireless feasibility check is appropriate. The correct result may be different at each branch. A single business can use different connectivity designs across its locations without treating any one technology as the standard answer everywhere.
Illustrative
Industrial site needing a specialised radio-link discussion
A site has a requirement that goes beyond a basic fixed internet comparison. Route the buyer to Licensed Microwave feasibility rather than stretching a generic wireless explanation into a promise. A specialist review determines whether the physical route and service design are appropriate.
Comparison
Fibre vs fixed wireless vs Licensed Microwave: a business comparison
Use this table to frame the questions that matter. It is not a product promise or a substitute for a feasibility check. A technology may be technically suitable in principle yet unavailable, delayed or impractical at a particular address, building or operational setup.
Swipe to compare → or scroll down for a stacked card view.
Business Fibre
- How the connection reaches the site
- Uses fibre infrastructure to the premises where available.
- What needs checking first
- Address availability, applicable fibre network and installation path.
- Typical business situation to assess
- A business address with suitable fibre infrastructure seeking a fixed primary connection.
- Availability assumption
- Never assume availability from suburb or city alone.
- Installation context
- May depend on existing infrastructure, approvals and whether a new build is involved.
- Use with VoIP / Cloud PBX
- May be assessed as part of a business connectivity design.
- Starting price orientation
- FTTH from R599/month; FTTB from R1,400/month excl. VAT.
- Typical lead-time orientation
- FTTH 3–7 days where existing infrastructure supports it; FTTB may take 1–6 months if new build or approvals are required.
- Static IP note
- May be available where required.
- Best next action
- Check fibre coverage.
Fixed wireless
- How the connection reaches the site
- Uses a fixed radio connection to a business site, subject to coverage and physical feasibility.
- What needs checking first
- Address coverage, site feasibility, possible line-of-sight and installation requirements.
- Typical business situation to assess
- A site where fibre is unavailable, delayed or unsuitable after assessment.
- Availability assumption
- Never assume availability from a map or generic area claim alone.
- Installation context
- May depend on site access, mounting, line-of-sight and equipment requirements.
- Use with VoIP / Cloud PBX
- May be assessed as part of a business connectivity design.
- Starting price orientation
- From R735/month excl. VAT.
- Typical lead-time orientation
- 5–10 days, subject to feasibility.
- Static IP note
- May be available where required.
- Best next action
- Request a wireless feasibility review.
Licensed Microwave
- How the connection reaches the site
- Uses a specialised licensed radio-link design, subject to feasibility and solution requirements.
- What needs checking first
- Detailed site and technical feasibility, radio-link design and requirements scope.
- Typical business situation to assess
- A business with more specialised connectivity or radio-link requirements.
- Availability assumption
- Never assume suitability without an individual feasibility review.
- Installation context
- May depend on the technical design, site conditions and required installation work.
- Use with VoIP / Cloud PBX
- May be assessed where the wider design and requirements support it.
- Starting price orientation
- From R1,860/month excl. VAT.
- Typical lead-time orientation
- 5–10 days, subject to feasibility.
- Static IP note
- May be available where required.
- Best next action
- Request a microwave feasibility review.
Deeper education
What changes when a business uses fibre, fixed wireless or Licensed Microwave?
What is fixed wireless in this comparison?
Fixed wireless is a connection delivered to a fixed business location using radio equipment rather than a fibre cable entering the site. Its suitability can depend on coverage, the installation path, physical site conditions and, in some deployments, line-of-sight considerations.
Why is address-level checking important for fibre?
Fibre infrastructure is not identical across every address in the same suburb, business park or city. The available fibre network, current build status, building access and installation route can affect what can be offered and when.
How is Licensed Microwave different from generic wireless internet?
Licensed Microwave is a more specialised connectivity option and should not be used as a synonym for ordinary fixed wireless internet. It requires a separate feasibility and solution-design discussion, particularly where the business requirement involves a dedicated radio-link approach.
Does a connectivity change automatically fix poor call quality?
No. A connection can be one contributor, but local networking, Wi-Fi, device setup, voice configuration and the boundaries between supplied services can also matter. Start with a practical assessment instead of assuming one technology change will resolve every voice issue.
Glossary
Definitions are rendered as visible text below; any hover tooltips elsewhere on the page duplicate this content.
- Fibre
- A fixed connection delivered over fibre infrastructure to the premises where available.
- Fixed wireless
- A fixed-location radio-based connection, subject to coverage and site feasibility.
- Line of sight
- A potentially relevant assessment factor where an unobstructed radio path is needed for a proposed installation.
- Licensed Microwave
- A specialised licensed radio-link option assessed separately from generic fixed wireless.
Why SureTel
A clearer path from assessment to support
Connectivity buyers often do not only need a new line; they need clearer ownership and communication when something goes wrong. SureTel combines business connectivity and communications under one provider where the chosen solution is supplied by SureTel, giving the customer a practical point of contact for assessment, updates and scope-led support.
- Licensed South African ISP
- Operating since 2010
- ICASA licence 0009/CECS/AUG/09
- Hundreds of satisfied customers
- Connectivity, VoIP and Cloud PBX under one provider
| What SureTel does within the supplied-solution scope | What is not promised |
|---|---|
| Receive and assess the incident against the supplied service and known design. | Responsibility for every unrelated LAN, building, power, FNO, carrier or third-party system fault. |
| Communicate what is known, what is being checked and what next action is planned. | A guaranteed resolution time, cause or outcome before investigation. |
| Coordinate relevant parties where the supplied service depends on them. | Control over a third party's internal process, network or repair schedule. |
| Recommend a practical next step where scope or design needs to change. | Automatic failover, uninterrupted service or technology equivalence unless specifically contracted and technically configured. |
Standard support hours: Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00. 24/7 SLAs apply only where specifically agreed.
From decision to deployment
How to choose the right connectivity route
Share the site address and the business need
Capture the intended use, existing connection and operational priorities.
Confirm site contacts and access details
Check available routes and identify whether further feasibility review is required.
Discuss voice, cloud, branch and support requirements
Review the practical connection design and the boundaries that matter for the supplied solution.
Review the proposed route and conditions
A quote is provided subject to the confirmed design, feasibility and requirements.
Proceed once requirements are agreed
SureTel coordinates deployment and provides the agreed support path after activation.
Not sure which route to assess first?
Start with your address and operating requirement. We will review the relevant path rather than forcing a technology choice before feasibility is known.
Related routes: Business Fibre Internet · Business Wireless Internet · Licensed Microwave Internet · Business Connectivity Solutions · Business Fibre vs LTE · Backup internet for business · LTE/5G Backup
FAQs
Wireless vs fibre internet FAQs
Is fibre or wireless internet better for a business?
Fibre is often the first connection to assess where suitable infrastructure exists, but fixed wireless may be useful where fibre is unavailable, delayed or unsuitable after feasibility checks. The better option depends on the address, site conditions, workload and service design.
Is fixed wireless the same as Wi-Fi?
No. Fixed wireless describes how connectivity reaches a business site using a radio connection. Wi-Fi is normally the local wireless network inside a building. A business can have fixed wireless as its internet connection and Wi-Fi inside the office, but they are different parts of the setup.
Does business wireless internet need line of sight?
It can be relevant depending on the proposed wireless design and site conditions. SureTel confirms this during a feasibility review rather than assuming it from a suburb or address alone.
Can fibre be installed at every business address?
No. Fibre availability and installation path depend on the address, applicable infrastructure, building access and, in some cases, approvals or new-build work. Use a coverage check to confirm the current position.
What is the difference between fixed wireless and Licensed Microwave?
Fixed wireless is a general fixed-location radio connectivity option. Licensed Microwave is a more specialised licensed radio-link solution that needs its own feasibility and design discussion. They should not be treated as interchangeable.
Can fibre, fixed wireless or Licensed Microwave support business VoIP?
Any of these may be assessed as part of a wider business connectivity and voice design. Call quality can also depend on the local network, Wi-Fi, voice configuration and device setup, so a connectivity change alone is not a guarantee of a voice outcome.
How long does installation take?
Typical lead-time orientation is FTTH 3–7 days where existing infrastructure supports it; FTTB may take 1–6 months where a new build or approvals are required; and Wireless or Licensed Microwave 5–10 days subject to feasibility. These are not fixed installation dates.
What do fibre, wireless and Licensed Microwave cost?
SureTel's approved orientation is FTTH from R599/month, FTTB from R1,400/month, Wireless from R735/month and Licensed Microwave from R1,860/month, all excluding VAT. The confirmed price depends on feasibility, design, installation, equipment and service requirements.
Will SureTel take responsibility if there is a connectivity incident?
For the solution SureTel supplies, SureTel is the customer's clear point of contact for assessment, communication and coordination within the agreed scope. An investigation may still involve third-party infrastructure, local networking, building power or systems outside SureTel's control, so the cause and outcome cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Should I choose LTE or 5G instead of fibre or fixed wireless?
LTE/5G Backup is a separate business-continuity decision. Read the Business Fibre vs LTE guide or review LTE/5G Backup Internet when a mobile backup option is part of the requirement.
Next step
Check which connectivity route can be assessed for your site
Share your business address, current connectivity position and operating needs. SureTel will review the relevant fibre, fixed wireless or Licensed Microwave path and explain the next practical step.
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