its intention of
introducing a closed numbering plan and changing the international prefix
Johannesburg
25 July 2006
The Minister of Communications promulgated the Numbering Plan prescribed by
the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa in terms of Section 89
of the Telecommunications Act. The Numbering Plan can be accessed on the
Authorityâs website: http://www.icasa.org.za under Government Gazette
number 28839, dated 15 May 2006.
The Numbering Plan is a national resource, and its design, adoption and
management should be in the public interest. The Numbering Plan is a regulation
that presents the structure of the numbering scheme of the Republic and a
prescribed set of administration principles to be followed by all interested
parties.
Numbering administration requires the Authority to establish a framework for
numbering conventions:
* that meets the future demands for the countryâs telecommunication
services
* ensure a seamless transition to a new competitive environment
* facilitate the entry into the telecommunications marketplace by making
numbering resources available on an efficient and timely basis
* enable the assignment of numbers on a fair basis that is non-discriminatory,
reasonable and equitable and
* that does not unduly favour or disadvantage any particular industry segment
or group of consumers nor unduly favour one technology over another.
The Authority has embarked on the following numbering initiatives:
(a) In terms of the Numbering Plan, regulation 20, the Authority has published
a list of the Numbering Plan Record (numbering spectrum) in Government Gazettes
29049 and 29059. This list shall be available on the ICASA website in the near
future.
(a) Councillors: P. Mashile (Chairperson), T. Cohen, L. Mtimde, M. Mohlala, N.
Bulbulia, Z. Masiza, M. Zokwe
(b) In terms of the Numbering Plan, sub-regulation 21 (6), the introduction of
mandatory 10 digit dialling for local calls shall take place on 16 January
2007. From 16 October 2006, fixed line subscribers, within the Republic, will
be able to dial both the current seven digit telephone number without the area
code (seven digits) and also dial the seven digit telephone number with the
area code (10 digits). The parallel running between the two dialling formats
shall end on 16 January 2007. Thereafter, fixed line subscribers shall only
dial the 10 digit telephone number format. All other dialling formats will
remain the same.
(c) In terms of the Numbering Plan, sub -regulation 21(7), the international
prefix for international dialling is â09â. To meet international and regional
requirements, the â09â international dialling prefix shall be replaced with
â00â on 16 January 2007.
From 16 October 2006, all subscribers to telephony services within the
Republic will be able to dial both the current â09â international dialling
prefix and also dial the new â00â international dialling prefix when making
telephone calls to international destinations. The parallel running between the
two international dialling formats shall end on 16 January 2007. Thereafter,
all subscribers to telephony services shall only dial the â00â format.
Enquiries:
Harrish Kasseepursad
Manager: Numbering Administration
Tel: (011) 321-8311
Cell: 082 372 0217
For Media Enquiries:
Jubie Matlou
Senior Manager Communications
Tel: (011) 321-8230
Cell: 082 376 0015
Issued by: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
25 July 2006
