Vodacom is to introduce a new 076 number range to complement its existing 082 and 072 number prefixes.
The new number range will be available to new customers with immediate effect, says the company.
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) has allocated a total of two million numbers in the 0761 and 0762 ranges which, according to a spokesman at the regulator, means that the remaining ranges - 0763 to 0769 - will not be part of the current provisioning of numbers.
"The 076 number range will help Vodacom accommodate its growing customer base in SA. We also believe our customers will soon get familiar with the 076 numbers," says Vodacom`s chief communication officer, Mthobi Tyamzashe.
In its last quarterly update, the mobile operator states that its South African customer base grew by 8.8% from 9.73 million to 10.58 million, and it expects further growth, hence its request for the additional number range.
"Given the continued growth of the local cellular market, there will soon be a need for additional numbers. Vodacom has a 54% market share and estimates the number of cellphone users will grow to some 30 million within the next few years," says Tyamzashe.
"The 076 numbers will be available to both contract and prepaid customers and Vodacom services such as Customer Care and emergency services will also be available to 076 customers."
Yvonne Muthien, group executive for corporate affairs at rival operator MTN, says: "MTN currently has two number ranges, 073 and 083. Number ranges are stipulated by ICASA according to its numbering plan and MTN utilises its allocated number ranges at optimum efficiency levels."
Despite this, ICASA says MTN has also applied for an increase in its number range, but the application is still under consideration.
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