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South Africa +27

International code · Africa

How to dial

Calling from abroad +27 XX XXX XXXX

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

For domestic long distance dial 0 first, then the area code. Local calls: dial directly. Mobiles are dialled with the leading 0 as well.

Mobile length
9 digits
Mobile prefixes
XX XXX XXXX
International format
+27 XX XXX XXXX
Domestic trunk
0

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

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.
2 sources
www.anthropic.com/supported-countriessupport.google.com/gemini?p=gemini_web_availability

How to read a number

+27821234567

+27Country code
South Africa.
82Mobile prefix
The national part of a South African number is 9 digits; mobile prefixes start with 6, 7 or 8 (written 06x, 07x, 08x). Written nationally as 082…; that leading 0 is the trunk prefix and is dropped when dialling from abroad.
1234567Remaining 7 digits
The subscriber number. South Africa allows porting, so the digits do not tell you which operator the SIM is on now.

Written nationally as 082 123 4567.

This section checked 2026-09-18.
2 sources
www.icasa.org.za/pages/numberingwww.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/Number-Portability-Regulations-2018-41949.pdf

Number ranges & quality

RangeTypeNotes
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.

Number portability applies — a prefix only shows the original carrier.

Porting rules in full

Porting is available under ICASA’s Number Portability Regulations 2018. The most important rule: your current operator confirms the request by sending a one-time PIN (OTP) by SMS to the number, and if you do not reply within 4 hours the port request is rejected — so keep the SIM with you and able to receive texts while you switch. Validation must be finished within 7 hours; if the current operator rejects the port it must give the reason within 9 hours, and only on the grounds the regulations list (for example mismatched details, an account in arrears or suspended, a port already in progress, or the number already ported within the past calendar month). Early-termination penalties on a post-pay contract may not be used to reject or delay a port. Your current operator may not charge you; the new operator may, but must tell you before starting the port. So South African prefixes only show who originally issued a number, and this site does not publish a prefix table.

  • Vodacom Mobile carrierVeteran
    launched 1994

    One of South Africa’s main operators.

  • MTN Mobile carrierVeteran
    founded 1994

    One of South Africa’s main operators, part of MTN Group. Many Cell C customers now run on its network too (see below).

  • Cell C Mobile carrierVeteran
    launched 2001

    Licensed, but it has switched off its own radio access network: as part of its turnaround it moved customers onto MTN’s and Vodacom’s networks (through roaming and network sharing). So on a Cell C SIM the signal actually comes from MTN or Vodacom masts.

  • Telkom Mobile carrier

    South Africa’s former state telecom, running both fixed and mobile services.

  • rain Mobile carrierNewcomer
    founded 2016
This section checked 2026-09-18.
12 sources
www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/Number-Portability-Regulations-2018-41949.pdfwww.icasa.org.za/legislation-and-regulations/number-portability-regulations-2018-1www.icasa.org.za/uploads/files/MTN-Comments-concerning-Transfer-of-Control-of-Cell-C-2024-01-19.pdfwww.cellc.co.za/cellc/static-content/PDF/Network-TCs-Final.pdfwww.vodacom.co.zawww.mtn.co.zawww.telkom.co.zawww.rain.co.zawww.vodacom.co.za/sites/vodacomcoza/files/media/documents/pdf/vodacom-30th-anniversary-social-contract-2024.pdfwww.mtn.com/aboutwww.cellc.co.za/cellc/about-who-we-arewww.rain.co.za/meetrain/our-story

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.

Read more

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

3 sources
www.mtn.co.za/home/terms-and-conditions/content/mtn-access4life-xtender-terms-and-conditionstechcentral.co.za/new-rules-on-how-operators-can-cut-off-your-dormant-sim/283296www.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

2 sources
www.vodacom.co.za/vodacom/terms/prepaid-sim-terms-and-conditionstechcentral.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.

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