SA still doesn't use dialling codes

By Damaria Senne for Telkom
Johannesburg, 12 Jan 2007

Despite a looming deadline to implement 10-digit numbering, the majority of South Africans still do not include a dialling code when making local calls.

According to Telkom's tracking mechanism, only 29.98% of local calls in all regions included a dialling code during December.

However, this is an improvement from November, when only 23.94% included a dialling code.

The numbers are still low, considering the plan, which requires callers always use an area code when making local and national calls, goes into effect on 16 January.

In December, Telkom launched a radio, TV and print campaign to educate the public about the 10-digit number dialling plan and how it affects them.

A quick e-mail survey among ITWeb staff indicates that while the majority of respondents are aware of the numbering plan, over 90% do not use a dialling code yet.

Many said they would do so when the intermediary phase, which aims to help people get used to dialling 10 digits for fixed-line local calls, begins. Therefore it appears that most are unaware Telkom has already introduced an intermediary phase, which aimed to encourage people to use 10-digit numbers for local calls, on 16 October last year.

Parallel system ends

From 16 January, local calls that do not include a dialling code will be routed to an announcement requesting callers to dial 10 digits when making local calls. This service will continue until 16 March, after which such calls will be routed to a "number unavailable" tone.

Telkom statistics indicate Pretoria is still leading among the cities being tracked, with 42.29% of the 129 961 local calls made in December including a dialling code. This is an increase from 37.81% in November.

Vereeniging was second, at 37.19%, up from 34.57% in November, with Polokwane coming in third with 31.28%.

Some 28.79% of callers in Johannesburg used a dialling code, an increase from 23.47% in November. Durban came in at 25.76%, Cape Town at 18.11% and Port Elizabeth at 11.17%.

Sekgoela Sekgoela, media relations manager at the Independent Communications Authority of SA, notes the introduction of the numbering plan will result in more telephone numbers that operators can assign to customers.

"In every area code, we have the potential to have two million additional numbers," he says.

"The increase in numbers will ultimately contribute to economic development, as operators will have more numbers to allocate (and increased revenue) and more South Africans will have access to phone lines."