South Africa phone code +27: mobile format & how to dial

Key facts

International code+27

International format+27 XX XXX XXXX

Mobile prefixesXX XXX XXXX

Mobile length9 digits

Domestic trunk0

Number ranges & quality

Range	Type	Notes
`06x / 07x / 08x (10 digits)`	Mobile carrier	South African mobile ranges (Vodacom / MTN / Cell C).

Intl SMSStable

Virtual-number riskLow

ID requiredRICA registration is mandatory; foreigners use a passport plus proof of address, and enforcement steps up from 1 July 2026 (Justice Department).

Physical SIMs can sign up without issues. WhatsApp is extremely popular in South Africa.

Carriers & prefixes

Mobile prefixes by carrier.

First draft — not yet verified item by item

Number portability status unverified.

Vodacom Mobile carrier

Owner: Vodacom
MTN Mobile carrier

Owner: MTN Group
Cell C Mobile carrier
Telkom Mobile carrier

Owner: Telkom
Rain Mobile carrier

Owner: Rain (formerly Wireless Business Solutions) 80% ARC 20%

This section checked 2026-09-13. Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_in_the_Middle_East_and_Africa

SIM cards & keeping a number

South African SIMs need RICA registration (the interception act): foreigners use a passport plus proof of address (usually a bill, bank statement or lease under three months old; many agents accept proof of accommodation — that part is from third-party guides). A Justice Department statement of 26 March 2026 says enforcement steps up from 1 July 2026, jointly with police and prosecutors, with penalties up to R5 million or 10 years’ imprisonment.

Deactivation rules were standardised in 2026: ICASA’s Numbering Plan (Fourth Amendment) Regulations were gazetted on 1 July 2026, with a six-month transition for operators (to early January 2027). They cover prepaid numbers only: 90 consecutive days without a “revenue-generating activity” (calls, SMS, MMS, data, value-added services) counts as inactive; operators must notify at 60 days, then allow a 30-day window with at least two reminders (including one the day before switch-off); after deactivation the number is quarantined for one month, during which reactivation is free, before recycling. Subscribers expecting to be away can request a free 183-day exemption. Postpaid lines are unaffected.

Current operator terms: MTN may cancel a number after 90 days without revenue-generating activity, forfeiting airtime; Vodacom’s prepaid terms allow suspension or disconnection after more than 110 days unused, with a reasonable fee for reconnection.

MTN prepaid

Local prepaid

Network: MTN’s own network (MNO)
Price: Plan and top-up based
Keeping the number: MTN terms: after 90 consecutive days without revenue-generating activity (outgoing calls, outgoing SMS, paid data, recharges) MTN may cancel the number and deactivate the SIM, forfeiting all airtime. Under ICASA’s new rules, once the transition ends, deactivation must be preceded by notice and a 30-day reactivation window
ID check: RICA: passport plus proof of address for foreigners
SMS & calls: A normal South African number; cost of receiving SMS while roaming in China not verified

Pros

Wide coverage; SIMs sold and RICA’d at the airport (third-party guides)

Watch out

The number can be cancelled after 90 days without chargeable use, airtime included
Keeping it from abroad needs regular paid activity — receiving SMS doesn’t count

Where to buy: mtn.co.za

Sources: www.mtn.co.za/home/terms-and-conditions/content/mtn-access4life-xtender-terms-and-conditions · techcentral.co.za/new-rules-on-how-operators-can-cut-off-your-dormant-sim/283296 · www.justice.gov.za/m_statements/2026/20260326-RICA.html

Vodacom prepaid

Local prepaid

Network: Vodacom’s own network (MNO)
Price: Plan and top-up based
Keeping the number: Vodacom prepaid SIM terms: if the service is unused for more than 110 days (four months) Vodacom may suspend or disconnect it and charge a reasonable fee for suspension, disconnection or reconnection. The terms give no quarantine or recycling period
ID check: RICA: passport plus proof of address for foreigners
SMS & calls: A normal South African number; cost of receiving SMS while roaming in China not verified

Pros

110 days is slightly more generous than MTN’s 90

Watch out

The terms don’t define “use” or give a recycling period
Reconnection may cost a fee

Where to buy: vodacom.co.za

Sources: www.vodacom.co.za/vodacom/terms/prepaid-sim-terms-and-conditions · techcentral.co.za/new-rules-on-how-operators-can-cut-off-your-dormant-sim/283296

From user and blogger reports; platform risk rules change often — treat as a guide only. This section checked 2026-09-16.

Sign-up availability

What to expect when signing up for these services with a physical SIM from this country:

ChatGPT Works

Claude Works

WhatsApp Works

Telegram Works

LINE Works

WeChat Works

X Works

TikTok Works

Gemini Works

Jump to another country

Calling South Africa from abroad

Dial +27, then the local number. Drop the leading trunk prefix 0.

Generate the full number →

Dialing within South Africa

For domestic long distance dial 0 first, then the area code. Local calls and mobiles: dial directly.

Elsewhere in Africa

Community tips

No community tips yet. We refresh every 1–2 months — contributions welcome.

Have experience to share? Submit →

Common premise & disclaimer

Applies to every platform: VoIP / virtual numbers and heavily-reused number pools get rejected. Physical SIM only.

Checked 2026-09-12. Platform region policies and number-range allocations change — always confirm against each platform’s official supported-regions list and the carrier’s notices.

Sources：www.anthropic.com/supported-countries · support.google.com/gemini?p=gemini_web_availability

South Africa +27