In brief: Switch Telecom is raising prices for the first time in 18 years, effective March 2026. SA resellers relying on Switch for hosted voice or SIP trunking should review contracts and communicate changes proactively.
Switch Telecom has implemented a price increase across its service portfolio — the first in the company’s 18-year history. The new pricing took effect on 1 March 2026, applying to all customers on all services. Switch Telecom notified clients formally on 5 January 2026, giving just under two months’ notice.
For resellers who include Switch Telecom services in their offerings, this is a billing event that requires action — and potentially a conversation with customers who may push back. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Switch Telecom increased prices after 18 years
In their formal notice to customers, Switch Telecom cited sustained industry-wide cost increases — including rising infrastructure, interconnect, and operational costs — as the reason the adjustment became unavoidable. The company had previously absorbed these pressures through efficiencies and economies of scale, but stated that continuing to do so would compromise service quality.
“Over the past 18 years, we have not increased our service fees. During this time we absorbed rising supplier and operational costs through efficiencies and economies of scale. Due to sustained increases across the industry, a pricing adjustment has now become necessary to ensure we can continue delivering reliable, high-quality solutions.”
— Switch Telecom official notice, January 2026
The 18-year baseline is a significant point of context when communicating with customers. Most SaaS and telecoms services in South Africa have had multiple price increases over the past five years alone. Switch Telecom’s track record here is genuinely unusual in the local market.
What changed and by how much
Switch Telecom did not publish a universal percentage increase. Adjustments vary by service type and pricing tier, and individual customers and resellers received updated schedules directly. If you haven’t received your updated pricing schedule, contact Switch Telecom’s reseller support directly.
Products affected include hosted switchboard and PBX services, SIP trunking, number porting fees, and associated add-ons. Switch Telecom has not publicly announced which products changed by what percentage, so resellers should verify their specific updated costs before adjusting customer invoices.
Is Switch Telecom still competitive after the increase?
This is the question most resellers will need to answer — either for themselves or for customers who query the change. The short answer, based on available market pricing, is yes: Switch Telecom remains competitive within the South African hosted voice market, even after the increase.
For context, the SA hosted PBX market currently looks broadly like this at the entry level:
- Euphoria Telecom — mid-market hosted PBX, typically R65–R85/extension/month depending on bundle
- Telviva — cloud communications with broader UCaaS features, starting from around R80–R120/extension/month
- Switch Telecom — traditionally at the more cost-effective end of the hosted market
- Nology — hosted PBX and SIP trunking, competitive on SIP line pricing
Note: Published pricing varies by configuration and is subject to change. Verify current rates directly with each provider before using these as comparisons with customers.
The key positioning Switch Telecom has historically held is competitive per-extension and SIP trunk pricing with reliable call quality. Unless the increases have dramatically changed that positioning — which doesn’t appear to be the case based on available information — the service remains a valid recommendation for cost-conscious SME customers.
What resellers should do now
- Get your updated price schedule. If you haven’t received it, contact Switch Telecom’s reseller support. Don’t adjust customer billing until you have confirmed figures.
- Review customer contracts. Identify which customers are on month-to-month versus fixed-term arrangements, and understand your obligations around passing on price changes.
- Prepare a customer communication. Proactively informing customers is better than letting them discover it on an invoice. Framing this as Switch Telecom’s first price increase in 18 years — rather than just “prices are going up” — is a reasonable and honest approach.
- Don’t reflexively churn customers. The increase may prompt some customers to ask about alternatives. Before migrating anyone, compare total cost of ownership including porting, setup, and disruption costs. A modest price increase rarely justifies a full migration unless there are other dissatisfactions already.
About Switch Telecom
Switch Telecom is one of South Africa’s established independent VoIP and cloud communications providers, operating since 2008. It offers hosted PBX, SIP trunking, virtual numbers, and connectivity through a reseller channel model. The company is known for competitive pricing and call quality, and despite this first price adjustment, remains positioned at the value-oriented end of the local market.
For full details, see the official Switch Telecom pricing notice or the Switch Telecom profile on Telecoms Channel.
Frequently asked questions
When did Switch Telecom’s new pricing come into effect?
The new pricing was effective from 1 March 2026. Customers were notified on 5 January 2026, giving approximately eight weeks’ notice.
By how much did Switch Telecom increase their prices?
Switch Telecom has not published a blanket percentage increase. Increases vary by service and pricing tier. Customers and resellers received individual updated schedules. Contact Switch Telecom directly for your specific updated pricing.
Has Switch Telecom increased prices before?
No. According to Switch Telecom’s own statement, this is their first price increase since the company was founded in 2008 — 18 years of unchanged service pricing.
Should I migrate my customers away from Switch Telecom because of this increase?
Not necessarily. The increase should prompt a review, but migration has real costs — number porting, setup fees, potential downtime, and customer disruption. Compare total cost of ownership before recommending a change. Switch Telecom is likely to remain competitive for most SME use cases.
Who do I contact at Switch Telecom about my reseller pricing?
Contact Switch Telecom’s reseller support via their official website at switchtel.co.za. Your account manager should have sent your updated price schedule directly.
About the Author
Mechelle Gindra
Mechelle Gindra is the managing editor and lead content strategist at Telecoms-Channel, South Africa's dedicated intelligence platform for telecoms resellers, ICT distributors, and channel partners. She oversees the editorial team's AI-assisted content production pipeline, ensuring vendor news, market analysis, and regulatory updates are accurate, timely, and actionable for the SA telecoms channel community. With deep expertise in the South African telecoms reseller ecosystem, Mechelle directs coverage of vendor partner programmes, ICASA regulatory developments, wholesale market dynamics, and channel business strategy. She is responsible for maintaining Telecoms-Channel's editorial standards, fact-checking processes, and corrections policy.
