SA's first mobile operator Vodacom is pushing to meet ICASA's number migration deadline for Internet of things (IOT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) devices.
In September 2012, telecoms regulator ICASA released the draft Number Plan Regulations (Notice 790 of 2012) with the objective of providing for the efficient use and allocation of numbers.
In a statement, Vodacom says with the dramatic increase in the number of M2M devices being deployed in SA as well as the expected growth in the market, the availability of 10-digit mobile numbers has come under pressure.
This has prompted ICASA to create a dedicated 14-digit number range that will cater for all M2M services.
In January, SA's second mobile operator MTN Business also said intends to complete M2M number migrations by 25 February, a month ahead of a regulatory deadline.
Vodacom says it has been working towards meeting the regulatory requirements and is on track to accommodate ICASA's 14-digit Number Plan Regulation deadline of 24 March 2017. To meet this regulatory requirement, the teloco says it has updated systems, policies and processes to accommodate the new 14-digit MSISDN format.
All IOT and M2M customers have been notified or received instructions regarding the migrations over the past few months, it says.
Vodacom has been compelled to effect forced migrations for some IOT/M2M customers in order to ensure compliance, the company notes. This has occurred in instances where customer communications have not been responded to.
The operator points out that it has made a concerted effort in helping customers to migrate. "Our project team has contacted as many customers as possible, who have been sent various notifications to draw their attention to this important matter. Vodacom appeals to all customers who have not yet migrated to make this a priority by working with their respective Vodacom account managers before 28th February 2017," it says.
"Vodacom has a dedicated project team which was established to manage this process and we are on track to meet ICASA's deadline. We would like to appeal to those customers who have not yet responded to our request to migrate to contact Vodacom as soon as possible," says Deon Liebenberg, managing executive for Vodacom IOT.
In instances where customers do not comply with migration requirements, Vodacom says it will regrettably have to consider disconnecting those MSISDNs from its network or forcibly changing the MSISDN from 10 to 14 digits, in order to ensure that ICASA's deadline is met.
"Where a forced migration takes place, there is a possibility of service disruption, depending on how the MSISDN is being used by the customer."
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