Telkom National Relay System (NRS)
The NRS provides hearing-and/or speech impaired or deaf persons with a platform to contact hearing people of 3rd parties such as businesses or organisations to facilitate queries or appointments.
Types of Relay Services
5 types of Relay Services are available on the NRS platform
Voice relay
(speak and read)
When you can speak, but can’t hear well (hearing loss)
Captioned telephony relay
(speak and read)
When you can speak, but can’t hear well
Text relay
(text and read)
When you are deaf, can’t hear well or have difficulty using your voice
Live Chat relay
(type and read)
When you are deaf, can’t hear well or have difficulty using your voice
Video relay
When you use South African Sign Language
Who can I contact through a NRS call?
Examples of key services you can access and people you can contact through the NRS platform
3rd Parties, Businesses & Organisations
- Make bookings at a restaurant, hotel or guest house
- Make a medical doctors appointment
Telkom Call Centre
- Request product information
- Billing, payments, cancellation or upgrade queries
Emergency Services
- Contact emergency services to request police, fire, ambulance, medical services etc.
How it works
5 types of Relay Services are available on the NRS platform
Register or log in on the NRS portal at https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za
Start a relay call on the portal
Provide the NRS agent with your name, the area code and number you want to call
Give the message for the hearing person you are contacting
Want to know a little more?
What is Telkom’s National Relay System?
The National Relay System (“NRS”) enables registered Telkom Postpaid, TopUp (Hybrid) and Prepaid customers with a valid Telkom mobile SIM card, who have either hearing- and/or speech impairement or are deaf persons to be able to contact hearing people of organisations or hearing family and friends, in real-time and on their own by using the NRS platform.
Which customers may use the NRS?
Deaf, hearing- and speech-impaired Telkom mobile customers, both Postpaid, TopUp (Hybrid) and Prepaid customers with a valid Telkom mobile SIM card.
Do I have to be registered to use the NRS?
Yes, you must be registered to use the NRS platform. Telkom has partnered with Kutoa Solutions to provide these NRS services. Please click on this link https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za to sign up for the Telkom National Relay System services (NRS). Your Telkom mobile number will be used to register for the NRS service during the sign-up process. Please refer to question 14.Before registering for these NRS services please review the Kutoa Privacy Statement on the website link https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za. The privacy statement explains how we collect, use, and safeguard the data obtained and also covers the interpreter as a trained NRS agent who is a SA Sign Language Interpreter (SASLI), acting as a proxy for persons with disabilities who have either hearing- and/or speech impairment or are deaf persons utilizing the NRS platform for services.You have to read this statement carefully to understand our practices regarding your privacy. The privacy statement can be accessed at the following link: https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za/privacy-statement
How do I register my disability to use the service?
Telkom has partnered with Kutoa to provide these NRS services. Please click on this link https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za to sign up for the Telkom National Relay System services. During the registration process, you will be asked to provide your name, Telkom mobile number, and the nature of your disability.
What is the operating hours of the NRS call centre?
What is important to know when using the NRS service for calling emergency numbers?
Please note that for emergency calls the SA Sign Language Interpreter will contact emergency services on behalf of the NRS customer. Please supply all relevant information to the Interpreter. The response times from emergency services are aligned to provincial response times. The National Relay System (NRS) cannot be held responsible for any failures to respond when using the service. Should you require emergency services outside of the NRS Contact Centre hours (weekdays from 09:00 – 18:00 excluding public holidays), please contact the emergency services directly.
The primary objective of the National Relay System is NOT to replace existing national emergency numbers; please still use NRS as before. The NRS enables communication or a national relay service via an Interpreter between either hearing- and/or speech impairement or deaf persons to be able to contact hearing people. The NRS portal facilitates these calls and is provided based on best-effort delivery.
NRS cannot be held accountable for any failures to respond or perform when using the service