The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has extended the deadline for submissions of written comments on the draft number portability regulations to 29 January.
The authority published the regulations in the Government Gazette last November, with instructions that written presentations be submitted within 30 working days by post, hand delivery, e-mail or fax.
In a statement, ICASA says the extension has been granted pursuant to requests for extensions submitted by stakeholders to the authority.
"The authority deemed it necessary to extend the deadline for submissions of written comments in order to afford all stakeholders adequate time to provide comments on the draft regulations."
Number portability enables mobile and fixed-line telephone customers to keep their numbers, including their prefixes, when switching from one provider of mobile or fixed telecoms services to another.
According to ICASA, the proposed regulations seek to ensure effective functionality of number portability, access and routing of communication despite the number being ported, as well as ensure number portability occurs in an efficient manner without unreasonable delays or disruption of services.
In addition, the regulations set out to provide mechanisms to address cost allocation and cost recovery among licensees with regards to number portability.
"These draft regulations seek to revise the number portability regulations of 2005 and form an important milestone in the public consultation process," says councillor Peter Zimri.
A copy of the draft regulations is available on ICASA's Web site and at the regulator's library.
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