What to Ask Before You Sign Up for Fibre or Wireless Internet
Choosing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in South Africa can be confusing. There are hundreds of providers, dozens of fibre networks, and countless deals — all claiming to be the best.

This guide is designed to help you make an informed decision, avoid common pitfalls, and understand what really matters when choosing an ISP.

1) WHAT IS ‘THE BEST ISP’ IN SOUTH AFRICA?

Many people search for:
• “Best ISP in South Africa”
• “Top fibre providers near me”
The truth is: there is no single “best ISP” for everyone.

Large ISPs often dominate rankings because they:
• Have bigger marketing budgets
• Have more customers (which influences surveys and awards)
• Have stronger brand visibility

However, this does not always mean better service, especially when it comes to:
• After-sales support
• Response times
• Customer care

👉 The best ISP is the one that fits your location, usage, and support expectations — not just brand recognition.

2) WHAT INTERNET OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA?

Your ISP choice depends heavily on network coverage in your location.

In South Africa, fibre infrastructure is provided by network operators such as:
• Openserve
• Vumatel
• Frogfoot
• MetroFibre
• Octotel

While the wireless networks are generally operated by local wireless companies who are usually also the ISP on their wireless network, giving them more control over the quality of service offered on the network as well as service delivery and response times when there are issues.

Not all ISPs operate on all networks (fibre &/or wireless).

Why this matters:
• Prices differ between networks. ISPs can offer more favourable pricing if they own the network selected.
• Speeds and reliability can vary
• Some ISPs are unavailable in certain suburbs

👉 Key question:
“Which fibre or wireless networks are available at my address?”

3) ARE THERE HIDDEN TERMS IN ISP CONTRACTS?

Many consumers search:
• “Best uncapped fibre South Africa”
• “Month-to-month fibre deals”
But not all offers are as straightforward as they seem.

Important Terms to Check:
a) Month-to-Month Contracts
Some packages marketed as “month-to-month” include:
• Cancellation penalties
• Extended notice periods

👉 If there’s a penalty, it’s not truly month-to-month. If the service speaks for itself there should not be a need to include a cancellation penalty to try lock the consumer in.

b) Free Routers
“Free router” often means:
• Free to use, not to own
• Must be returned when cancelling, at your own cost
• You may pay if it’s damaged

c) Uncapped vs Unthrottled
“Uncapped” does not always mean unlimited performance.
Look out for:
• Fair Usage Policies (FUPs)
• Speed throttling after certain usage
• Traffic prioritisation during peak times

👉 Key question:“Is this service truly unshaped and unthrottled?”

4) HOW IMPORTANT IS ISP CUSTOMER SUPPORT?

One of the most searched frustrations in South Africa is:
• “ISP customer service complaints”
• “Internet not working, who to contact”
While most people choose based on price and speed, support is often the most important factor long-term.

What to look for:
• 24/7/365 support availability
• Real human assistance (not just bots)
• Multiple contact channels (phone + WhatsApp)
• ISP that sends out notifications for larger network outages before you need to contact them

Very few ISPs in South Africa offer fully staffed, always-on support.
Amobia proudly provides 24/7/365 human support — whether you call or message on WhatsApp.

How to Verify Support Quality:
• Read Google Reviews (focus on most recent reviews and support feedback)
• Check response times to complaints on social media
• Look for consistent service delivery

👉 Key question:
“If my internet stops working at 10pm tonight, who helps me — and how fast?”

5) Are Contact Details Easy to Find?

This is a simple but powerful indicator of service quality.

If an ISP does one of the below it often reflects a poor support experience:
• Hides their phone number
• Forces you into bots or forms
• Makes it difficult to speak to a human

What good support looks like:
• Phone number easy to locate on website
• Responsive WhatsApp support
• Fast, human interaction

👉 Key question:
“Can I quickly reach a real person when I need help?”

6) Do They Offer On-Site Technical Support?

Many consumers search:
• “Wi-Fi signal weak at home”
• “Fibre installed but internet slow”

Not all issues are network-related — some are inside your home.
On-site support can help with:
• Wi-Fi coverage optimisation
• Internal cabling
• Router positioning
Very few ISPs offer this level of service.

Amobia provides on-site technical support in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and their surrounding areas, helping customers optimise their home or office connectivity.

👉 Key question:
“If the issue is inside my home, can someone come out to assist?”

Final Checklist: How to Choose the Right ISP

Before signing up, make sure you understand:
✔ What networks are available in your area
✔ Whether the contract is truly month-to-month
✔ If “uncapped” includes throttling or limits
✔ The quality and availability of support
✔ How easy it is to contact the ISP
✔ Whether on-site support is available

Final Thought Choosing an ISP is not just about speed or price.

It’s about:
• Reliability
• Transparency
• Support when you actually need it.

A slightly cheaper package with poor support can cost far more in frustration and downtime.

Amobia is proud of the service delivered from the initial sale all the way through to after sales service and support delivered to customers that have been with Amobia for over 20years! The low customer turnover provides the feedback we need that our customers are happy and choose to stay with Amobia even when moving homes.

Browse the Amobia website (www.amobia.com ), get in touch via WhatsApp (27784217986)  or call us on 0410060000 to talk to a friendly support agent at any time of the day that works best for you (we are available 24/7/365).