Quotes for telecoms and connectivity

What to put in your request

A supplier can only price what they can see. Answer these and the quotes come back for the same job, which is the only way they can be compared.

1. 1What you need: internet for one or more sites, a backup link, voice (desk phones, hosted PBX, call recording), mobile contracts and data, Wi-Fi and cabling, or a combination.
2. 2The address of each site, and whether fibre already reaches the building. Say where the line comes in and where the equipment will sit.
3. 3The speed you need in both directions, and whether you need a dedicated line or a shared service will do.
4. 4How much downtime the business can take, and how fast a fault must be fixed. It decides whether you need a backup link and what service level to ask for.
5. 5The numbers you want to keep, how many extensions or lines you need, and any call-centre requirements.
6. 6For mobile: how many SIM cards, the data per user, the devices, roaming, and spending limits.
7. 7Whether you want to buy or rent the equipment (routers, handsets), and who manages it.
8. 8The contract length you will accept, and the date you need it working.

What to compare when the quotes come back

The lowest total is where comparing starts, not where it ends.

• The total over the contract: monthly fees, installation, equipment, and what you pay if you leave early.
• Speed: guaranteed or "up to", the same in both directions or not, and dedicated or shared.
• The service level: support hours, the response time and the time to restore service, and what you get back if they miss it.
• Whose network the service runs on, and who you call when the line is down.
• For mobile and voice: out-of-bundle rates, data caps and fair-use limits.
• What happens at the end: the notice period, returning equipment, and taking your numbers with you.

On SupScope every quote arrives with the same three figures: the total, the lead time and the deposit. The first comparison is done before you open anything. The rest of this list is what to read in each supplier's notes and documents.

Paperwork worth asking for

The provider's ICASA licence

Under the Electronic Communications Act, nobody may provide an electronic communications service or network service without an ICASA licence, unless the service is exempt, as resale can be. ICASA publishes lists of licensees. Ask which licence the provider holds, or whose network it resells.

ICASA type approval for the equipment

Communications equipment, including phones, routers and radio equipment, may not be sold, leased or used unless ICASA has approved its type or it falls under an exemption ICASA has prescribed. ICASA keeps a database of type-approved equipment, so check the models quoted.

Your RICA documents, for SIM cards

Under RICA, a SIM card may not be activated until it is registered. For a company, the provider must record and verify its name, address and registration number and its authorised representative, whose authority is shown by a letter of authority or an affidavit. A company that hands SIM cards to employees must also record and verify each employee's details first, and keep that record for five years.

And from any supplier

A SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN

It replaced the old tax clearance certificate. Checking it on eFiling shows the supplier's status on the day you check, not the day it was issued.

A B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit

Only if your own scorecard counts it. Small suppliers (turnover up to R10 million) may use an affidavit instead of a verified certificate.

Company registration and a bank confirmation letter

Worth having before the first payment, so the account you pay is the company you chose.

General guidance, not legal advice. Regulations change, and some depend on your municipality or the job, so confirm anything you rely on with the authority concerned.

How this works on SupScope

1. Step 1

   Post it once

   Describe the job and choose Telecoms & Connectivity and your province.

2. Step 2

   It reaches the right suppliers

   Only suppliers who work in this trade and cover your province see it.

3. Step 3

   Compare and award

   Quotes arrive side by side. Accept one and the others are told.