The mistakes businesses make when choosing a phone system
Most SA businesses switch their phone system expecting to save money — and end up with hidden costs, rigid setups, or platforms that don't fit how they actually work. Here's what to watch out for.
8 things every SA business should check before signing up
Use this as your non-negotiable checklist. A VoIP provider that can't tick every box below is a liability, not an asset.
WHY OTHOS
What makes Othos different from every other option
There are dozens of VoIP providers in South Africa. Here's what consistently sets Othos apart — in the words of what our clients tell us matters most.
Live in one business day
No hardware to rack. No Telkom installation to wait for. Our team configures your full Cloud PBX — extensions, IVR, ring groups, voicemail — and hands it over ready to use, typically within 24 hours of signing up.
Zero hardware
Your team uses the Othos app on the devices they already own — smartphones, laptops, desktops. No PBX boxes, no desk phones, no cabling. If someone joins or leaves, you add or remove an extension in seconds. Nothing to buy, nothing to return.
AWS infrastructure. 100% uptime
Othos runs on Amazon Web Services — the same infrastructure that powers the world's most demanding enterprises. Four years of continuous service without a single outage. Your calls are handled on infrastructure built for reliability at scale.
Support in your time zone, in your language
Our support team is in Cape Town. When something needs attention, you speak to someone who understands SA business, SA infrastructure, and SA working hours. No ticket queues that span time zones. No scripted responses from overseas call centres.
Month-to-month
We don't lock you in because we don't need to. If you're not satisfied, you can leave. That accountability is exactly why our clients stay — because the service earns it every month, not because a contract forces it.
From RocoMamas to Rawson Properties, SA's leading businesses trust Othos. Every review on Google is 5 stars — not because we ask for them, but because the product and support genuinely deliver.
BUILT FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSES
Why an SA-built VoIP provider is a smarter choice
A Cloud PBX built for South Africa needs to think like South Africa. Here's what we've built into Othos from day one — because local knowledge makes a real difference.
WHAT YOU GET
Everything your business needs — included in every plan
No feature tiers. No hidden add-ons. Every Othos plan includes the full Cloud PBX feature set from day one.
Full business phone system with extensions, ring groups, call queues and multi-branch support — no hardware required.
Record every call automatically. Stored securely in the cloud. Access, download or share from your dashboard at any time.
Professional voice menus that route callers to the right person or department — even after hours or on public holidays.
Make and receive business calls on your iPhone or Android. Your clients see your business number. Your personal number stays private.
Every voicemail transcribed and delivered to your inbox instantly. Never miss a message — even when you're in a meeting.
Listen in, coach with whisper mode, or join calls live with barge-in. Essential for sales teams and contact centres.
GETTING STARTED
Live in one business day — here's how
We've onboarded hundreds of South African businesses. Our SA-based team handles everything — from your first call to going live.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything your business needs — included in every plan
No feature tiers. No hidden add-ons. Every Othos plan includes the full Cloud PBX feature set from day one.
SA geographic number — 021, 011, 031 or 010
IVR auto-attendant with custom menus
Ring groups — unlimited
Call queues with custom hold music
Call recording — POPIA compliant
Call monitoring — Listen, Whisper, Barge-in
Mobile app — iOS & Android
Desktop softphone — Windows & Mac
Voicemail to email
Time conditions — business hours automation
CRM integration — HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho
Number porting — we handle the full process
Multi-branch — unlimited locations
SA-based support team — not a call centre
WHAT SA BUSINESSES SAY ABOUT OTHOS
SA businesses that made the switch — and never looked back
Real feedback from real South African businesses on Google.
"I run a fairly large operation and can honestly say these guys are the best in the business as far as I’m concerned, and I’ve been through quite a few providers. In the last 2 years of using them I can’t recall 1 instance where I had downtime. The support team are super helpful, fast, knowledgeable and on point. I will highly recommend their service to anyone."
JW
Jacobus van der Walt
Google review
"Went through a few of these companies: either communication was terrible or the quote was over the top.
These guys were straight to the point, prices are reasonable and gave great advice immediately.
What a pleasure to go from a headache to this type of service. (10 stars if it were possible.)"
SP
Stacey Page
Google review
"My experience with Othos was amazing compared to the dozens of companies I called before them. Everyone else was either ridiculously expensive, completely unhelpful or overcomplicated.
They communicated perfectly every step of the way and guided the process effortlessly. Can't recommend enough!"
NM
Nadine Moore
Google review
FAQ
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Is Othos ICASA licensed?
Yes. Othos Telecom holds full ICASA licensing as required by South African telecommunications law. This protects your business and ensures compliance with SA regulations. Using an unlicensed overseas provider could expose your business to legal risk — always verify ICASA licensing before signing up with any VoIP provider.
Can I keep my existing business number when I switch to Othos?
Yes. Othos handles the full number porting process from your current provider — whether you're on Telkom, another VoIP provider or any ICASA-licensed operator. Your number stays active throughout the porting process. The process typically takes 5–15 business days and our team manages all the administration.
Do I need to buy any hardware or equipment?
No. Othos is a fully cloud-based system that runs on devices your team already owns — smartphones, laptops, desktop computers. The Othos app is available on iOS and Android, and a browser-based softphone is available for desktop. You need a working internet connection. That's it. No desk phones, no PBX boxes, no cabling, no capital spend.
Is Othos suitable for small businesses?
Yes. Othos serves businesses from 2 users to 500+ users. Our pricing starts from R149/month and scales with your team. A 3-person team gets exactly the same features as a 100-person team — IVR, ring groups, call recording, mobile app, time conditions — with no minimum user requirements and no hardware to buy.
Does Othos work for businesses with multiple offices or locations?
Yes. Othos is particularly strong for multi-location businesses. All your locations connect to the same Cloud PBX — shared IVR, shared ring groups, free calls between any two locations and management visibility across all sites from one dashboard. This includes Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and any other SA city. Businesses like Rawson Properties and RocoMamas run their multi-location operations on Othos.
Free demo. Your number ported, your team connected. All features included. Live in one day. Join the SA businesses that switched — and never looked back.
EXPLORE OTHOS CLOUD PBX FEATURES
