In keeping with the recent ICASA media release concerning mandatory 10-digit dialling, and the change of the international dialling access number from 09 to 00. Telkom is implementing the new dialling procedures in parallel with the existing procedures for international as well as local calls from 16 October 2006. The legal requirement prescribes mandatory 10-digit dialling and the replacement of 09 with 00 as the international dialling prefix as from 16 January 2007.
Callers will have to dial 10 digits when making local calls. Presently, when fixed line to fixed line calls are made within the same area (e.g. the Pretoria area), the caller does not have to dial Pretoria's area code (namely, 012). The caller needs to only dial a 7-digt local number. However, in terms of the 10-digit dialling procedure, the area code will have to precede the number even if the caller and the person being called are both within the same area.
The "09" international dialling access number will be replaced with "00". With regard to international incoming calls, there will be no change to the current dialling procedures for any person telephoning South Africa from overseas.
PABX customers, within the international call barring, will be hugely impacted by these changes. Where PABX customers have programmed their PABX systems for international call barring, the system will need to be re-programmed to avoid users being able to make unauthorised international outgoing calls. Customers should also check that any pre-programmed diallable local numbers (e.g. speed dial numbers) are stored in the full 10-digit format. If international numbers are included in this list, the dialling prefixes will have to be changed from 09 to 00.
For Telkom PABX system, you need to do either of the following if you need any help:
phone 10217, select option 2, then select option 1 and log a '10 digit dialling request', requesting assistance to configure pre-programmed diallable local numbers, international call barring, and/or access to international operators, or
visit www.telkom.co.za. Under the heading 'Can we help you?', click on Report a fault. Enter the Type of Service and Telephone Number and click Submit. Enter required information on the next screen. For Fault Type choose Own Defined. Use the Comments field to log your request for assistance to configure pre-programmed diallable local numbers, international call barring, and/or access to international operators as required.
A Telkom technician will be in touch to assist you as soon as possible.
If you are not a Telkom PABX customer, please contact your PABX supplier.
As a further consequence of the ICASA-regulated change in the international dialling access number from 09 to 00, the short numbers used to dial international operator-assisted services will also change on 16 January 2007. To this end, all existing short numbers will be prefixed by number 1 (one). For example, the existing number for international directory enquiries, namely 0903, will change to 10903.
The numbers affected are:
Short Number for
Existing Number
New Number
Operator
assistance in placing an international call
0900
10900
All other
international call enquiries
0903
10903
Mass
international code-change call handling
0908
10908
To assist customers fimiliarise themselves with these changes, Telkom will have parallel running of both changes - 7 or 10-digit dialling for local calls and dialling 09 or 00 for the international dialling prefix - will commence in 16 October 2006. The parallel running period will last for three months up to 16 January 2007 when 10-digit dialling for local calls and 00 as the international prefix become mandatory.
After 16 January 2007, 7-digit dialled local calls will be routed to an announcement, which will request callers to dial all 10 digits when making local calls. International calls dialled using 09 will also be routed to an announcement, which will request the customer to replace 09 with 00. This will continue until at least 16 March 2007, after which incorrectly dialled calls will be routed to a "number unavailable" tone.
Issued by:
Lulu Letlape
Group Executive Corporate Communication
Tel: (012) 311 4301
Fax: (012) 323 9424
Mobile: 082 829 5633
About Telkom
Telkom SA Limited is one of the largest companies registered in the Republic of South Africa and is the largest telecommunications service provider on the African continent based on operating revenue and assets. Telkom offers fixed-line voice and data services, branded as Telkom, and mobile communications services through a 50% shareholding in the joint venture, Vodacom, a company incorporated in the republic of South Africa, Tanzania, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
Telkom has approximately 4.7 million telephone access lines in service as of March 2006. Telkom is South Africa's incumbent operator. Telkom had consolidated operating revenue of R47.6 billion ($7.7 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2006. Telkom's subsidiaries include Telkom Directory Services (Pty) Ltd who provides complete yellow and white pages directory services as well as electronic services, and Swiftnet (Pty) Ltd. Swifnet trades under the name of FastNet Wireless Service and provides synchronous wireless access on Telkom's X25 network, Saponet-P, to its customers. Telkom strongly believes in Corporate Social Investment and has a dedicated wing, the Telkom Foundation, which focuses in investing and developing previously disadvantaged South African communities.
