AVOXI TrueLocal Calling is a 2-way calling number that is available on selected South African DID numbers. Compatible with both landline and mobile calling the service give users the ability to make and receive inbound and outbound calls using the same number. With local Caller ID and in-country emergency services, capabilities businesses can leverage the full benefits of AVOXI's local license and South Africa interconnects. Available to both end-users and resellers, numbers may be used for business or private use, are fully portable, and have no maximum call duration or content restrictions, i.e. adult, gambling, conference services.
User our below quick links to the relevant section:
- Available Cities
- Making Outbound Calls
- How to advertise and dial a South Africa TrueLocal Number
- Product Limitations
- Calling Emergency Services
- Porting Overview
- Portable Numbers in South Africa
- Regulatory Restrictions
- FAQ's
Available Cities
This service can be activated in the following cities:
Making Outbound Calls
When sending calls from a SIP trunk or from your AVOXI Webphone you should dial all numbers in E.164 number formatting. This is a standardized numbering plan for the worldwide public switched telephone network (PSTN). It was developed so that associations around the world would have a standard format in which to express telephone numbers and is the primary standard that AVOXI uses. The format is the country code plus the number subtracting any preceding zeros. E.164 formatted phone numbers are limited to a maximum of fifteen digits.
Warning CLI Limitation: Outbound Traffic must be presented with a South African CLI by the customer or an International penalty of $0.25 per internal service will be imposed.
How to advertise and dial a South Africa TrueLocal Number
South Africa switched to a closed numbering system effective 16 January 2007. At that time, it became mandatory to dial the full 10-digit telephone number, including the zero in the three-digit area code, for local calls (e.g., 011 must be dialed from within Johannesburg). Area codes within the system are generally organized geographically. All telephone numbers are 9 digits long (but always prefixed by 0 for calls within South Africa), except for certain Telkom special services. When dialed from another country, the '0' is omitted and replaced with the appropriate international access code and the country code 27.
Product Limitations
- Call Duration: Short Call Duration should be avoided
- Emergency Calling: Emergency Calling is not supported at this time
- SMS / TEXT: SMS and Texting is not supported at this time
Calling Emergency Services
Calling an emergency service differs from country to country, with many countries using multiple emergency numbers depending on who you want to reach. While in many countries, simply dialing 112 (used in Europe and parts of Asia) or 911 (used in the United States) will instantly connect a caller to emergency services this is not the case in South Africa. To learn more, review our South Africa TrueLocal Emergency Services guide.
Porting Overview
Number porting is the process of transferring an existing number to a new carrier. This gives businesses the ability to retain their numbers, which can then be used as an outgoing CLI. AVOXI's local licensing and direct subscription to the Number Portability Company (NPC) makes porting in South Africa uncomplicated and easy. In addition, all porting is carried out in line with the Electronic Communication ACT, No 36 of 2005 for Number portability, Gazette 30089, dated 13 July 2007.
Portable Numbers in South Africa
- Geographic (local / DID): +271xx, +272xx, +273xx, +274xx, +275xx
- 27 Country Code
- 3rd Digit 1 to 5 is portable (geographic indicator)
- We can port all providers in South Africa
- Non-geographical National: +2787, +2786
- Non-geographical Toll Free: +27800, +27808
As of March 2022, customers have the ability to port geographic, toll-free and non-geographic South Africa numbers without sacrificing the identity tied to their existing business phone number. Speak with your account manager today (sales@avoxi.com) to consolidate your South Africa numbers portfolio and take advantage of AVOXI's reliable voice service and competitive rates.
Non Portable Numbers in South Africa
Mobile: +278, +277, +276
Porting Timelines: (Once Submitted)
- Single Number (7-10 Business Days)
- Block of Numbers (15 to 21 Business Days)
More about porting required documentation and lead times can be found here.
Regulatory Restrictions
If your use case for the number is against any local laws or services like directly or indirectly involved with illegal, politically sensitive topics, gambling, money lending, etc will cause your application will be rejected. The people you are calling should know your company otherwise if these are unwanted calls, a complaint can and will be issued against your CLI. In situations like this outbound calls are shut down immediately while we investigate the claim and issue against your calls.
FAQ's
Where are numbers reachable from?
- All fixed lines in the country itself.
- All mobile lines in the country itself.
- All international fixed lines.
- All international mobile lines.
- All national payphones.
Support Emergency Services and if so is there a required prefix?
Yes. The Country code + Number as per the above cities and prefix breakout.
What does the product not support?
- Lawful Intercept
- Freephone Services
- Premium Rate Services as this does not exist within South Africa
- Directory Services
What is the national regulator?
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa is an independent regulatory body of the South African government, established in 2000 by the ICASA Act to regulate both the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in the public interest. Learn more here!
Do you provide us with the CLI of a caller?
Yes, it is a regulatory requirement that any outbound traffic must be presented with a South African CLI or an International penalty of $0.25 per internal service will be imposed.
Do you provide the CLI when presented as "Restricted"? If not can you provide the CLI in the PAI or R-PID field of the SIP Header?
No - Restricted Only.
How should the number(s) be dialed from within the country (so, the national format, not international)?
0 and 9 digits local number (0XXXXXXXX).
What is the lead time for activating a Number (in business days)?
In stock 2 business days, out of stock, 60 business days; AVOXI carries inventory for our number ranges - 1,000 with a 65% order point in each prefix/dial code.
What are the porting costs per number?
There is no additional porting NRC, ported numbers have standard MRC.
Learn more about international porting in our comprehensive International Number Porting guide!
