The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (the Authority) has approved the Numbering Plan Regulations, 2016, in terms of sections 4(4) and 68 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 as amended.

In preparing the Numbering Plan Regulations the Authority has taken into consideration the views of all consultative forums and engagement with stakeholders since 2013. The attached reasons document is intended to highlight matters raised during the consultation process and to outline related reasons for decisions taken by the Authority.

1. Background

2. Definitions

3. Purpose of the Regulations

4. Allocating and reserving numbers

5. Conditions of use of an allocation of the numbering resource

6. Transferring numbers

7. Prefixes

8. Geographic numbers

9. Short codes beginning with "1"

10. Toll free number changes

12. Premium rated services

13. Machine related number changes and migration

[Topic numbering incorrect, as per Government Gazette 39861 dated 24 March 2016]