10-digit dialling may remain on backburner

By Rodney Weidemann for Telkom
Johannesburg, 29 Sep 2003

The proposed 10-digit dialling concept, which has been on the backburner for months, could conceivably remain there, depending on the result of a consultants report to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA).

The 10-digit dialling procedure would see callers having to punch in the area code ahead of the number they are dialling, wherever they are calling from.

It could also see the Johannesburg region - which traditionally uses the 011 prefix - also given a second area code, namely 010, which would open up millions of new numbers for use.

According to Andries Matthysen, senior manager for licensing enforcement and number administration at ICASA, the regulator has consultants coming in next week to study the data supplied by Telkom in regards to this issue.

"We are busy analysing the information supplied to us by Telkom regarding the usage of numbers. Since these are allocated in blocks, we need to study the tempo and growth of number usage," says Matthysen.

"Whether 10-digit dialling will be implemented soon will be subject to what conclusions our consultants come to, and could also be affected by other issues, such as if and when the second network operator is licensed."

Short supply

He says the indications ICASA received from Telkom suggest the monopoly is running out of numbers in the 011 range.

"Should ICASA find there are still sufficient numbers, then we will more than likely postpone the 10-digit concept. Hopefully our consultants will be able to shed some light on this issue shortly," he says.

"If we can avoid bringing in 10-digit dialling, that would be perfect, although we`ll have to wait and see, as by opening up the 010 range of numbers, it provides the capability of supplying millions more numbers in the region."

According to Andrew Weldrick, Telkom`s senior manager for media relations, the incumbent has had the 10-digit dialling process running in parallel with the standard 7-digit dialling for some time now.

"We have been encouraging people to use 10-digit dialling, as they will need to get used to it if it is implemented. It is purely a proactive measure for them," he says.

"We`ve been ready to officially implement the 10-digit dialling concept for almost two years now. All that Telkom has been waiting for has been for ICASA to make a decision."

He says there were numerous "urban legends" doing the rounds at one stage, which suggested that there would be extra costs involved for the users, in terms of the 10-digit dialling.

"These rumours are ridiculous, as our call costs are based around distance, not dialling codes. Any phone call within a 50km area is designated as a local call, while beyond that it is classified as a long-distance call, whatever the dialling code," says Weldrick.

International considerations

Matthysen says one dialling code issue that will alter in the near future is that of dialling internationally.

"Traditionally, South Africans have dialled the prefix 09 to make international calls. This will be changing to the prefix 00, in order to bring the country into line with International Telecommunication Union rules.

"We will have to wait until the number plan is published, and after this ICASA anticipates giving callers a year`s grace. This would mean they could call either prefix and get through, but calling 09 would mean the user received a message warning them of the change and advising them to use the new prefix in future."