Pretoria- The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has published the Numbering Plan Fourth Amendment Regulations, 2025 (“Regulations”) under section 68 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (“ECA”).

The amendments aim to create a standardised framework for the churn, deactivation, and recycling of inactive mobile numbers. This is to ensure efficient use of mobile numbers that supports long-term sustainability of the numbering resources, and to provide regulatory clarity and certainty across the sector. Importantly, the Regulations also provide that subscribers be given reasonable opportunity to retain their numbers before deactivation.

“These amended Regulations aim to standardize how mobile numbers are managed across all operators and protect consumers from losing access to their mobile numbers without adequate notice”, said the Numbering Resources Committee Chairperson, Councillor Cathrine Mushi.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the Regulations and enable licensees sufficient time to undertake the necessary network and system changes, the Authority has provided for a six-month transitional period from the date of publication of the Regulations in the Government Gazette.

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