It is a real coup, says Coleen Tapson, Cape Town sales manager for VoxTelecom. This was a first for us, and we went in knowing that, if things went wrong, we could revert to a traditional Telkom-based model. Everything went incredibly smoothly, and the set-up is a huge success.

According to VoxTelecom, its tailor-made communications system solutions have often reduced clients communication bills by up to a third. The 2Help1 call centre uses a broadband 3G/HSDPA Internet connection. The signal at Hoedspruit was initially not strong enough, but Tapson says Vodacom rushed at the challenge. It pushed forward its development plans and worked all hours to implement its systems.

Companies in remote areas are no longer at a disadvantage, says Tapson. Before there would be a long wait for a phone line, and many areas do not yet have ADSL capability.

It is a great technology success story for us, says Sanel van Taak, manager of 2Help1 in Hoedspruit. We are no longer stuck out in the sticks, but have been pushed to the leading edge of communication technology.

One of the key benefits is the systems mobility, adds Tapson. If companies are not in permanent premises or decide to move for any reason, the system can just be unplugged and plugged back in wherever they are. There is no waiting period at all.

This really opens up opportunities for other innovative business to grow in the region, says Cliff von Belkum, co-owner of 2Help1 and the Cape Town-based Hotline. Setting up with the system is simple now that the pilot is working; other entrepreneurs and small businesses in the Kruger to Canyon region and other remote areas can now also take advantage of GSM.

VoxTelecom intends to offer the solution to other small businesses as well. Now we have the exact costs for setting up a system like this, says Tapson, we encourage small businesses to talk to us before going down the traditional route.