South Africa's communications regulator (ICASA) published a Telecommunication Regulation on the Machine Related Services (MRS) in the Government Gazette Vol. 609; 24 March 2016 No.39861. This regulation stipulated the migration of 10 digits “phone numbers” or MSISDNs used for Machine Related Services to 14 digits.
There are two main impacts that the Regulation has on numbers used in M2M/ IoT applications:
- A dedicated number range is used with prefixes 096, 097 and 098
- The length of the MSISDN increases from 10 to 14 digits
The MSISDN length falls in line with E.164 number format
The ICASA regulations did not specify specific device types that require SIM cards with 14-digit MSISDN 's. It only gives a very broad definition of such devices: (See attached full regulations below)
“machine related number” means a non-geographic number that is used to provide
a machine related service. A machine related number must have a length of fourteen (14) digits.
“machine related service” means a service whereby:
(a) the transmission of communication in wireless and/or wired systems is between
devices or machines; and
(b) communication originating from a device or machine to a person and vice versa.
Instead, this broad definition is interpreted by the mobile networks on an ad-hoc basis. Networks also do not provide a definitive list of device types that they define as "M2"/IoT".
Mobile networks may randomly lock 10-digit SIMs that they identify being in a "machine related service”.
SIMcontrol offers both 10-Digit and 14-Digit SIM tariffs. Please ensure that you request the appropriate tariff for your specific use-case when ordering SIM cards.
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https://flickswitch.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/23000025061-business-flexi-on-vodacom-prepaid-comparison-guide
Full ICASA numbering regulations can be found here: https://www.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/numbering-plan-regulations - Also attached below.
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