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This article forms part of the archives of Business Insider South Africa, which was published as a partnership between News24 and Insider Inc between 2018 and 2023.
- Porting a number from one service provider is not complex.
- Most people want to keep their mobile numbers.
Transferring your existing mobile number from one network to another doesn’t have to be an admin headache.
You may want to change your service provider for a number of reasons, whether it's a better deal or to take advantage of an eSIM functionality offered by a different network. And you shouldn't have to change your number or worry about updating anyone, when porting your number to a different network.
Here's what you need to do.
According to the Digital 2021: South Africa report released by We Are Social and Hootsuite earlier this year, South Africa's population was 59.67 million, while mobile connections were sitting a 100.6 million in January 2021.
This is equivalent to 168.5% of the population having a mobile connection, which means that a large majority have more than one mobile connection.
You may not have considered porting your number before, but with Telkom now offering eSIM* functionality for prepaid customers, it is an attractive option for anyone already on a prepaid line wanting to free up their physical SIM card slot for a data network provider like rain.
This allows you to keep a primary number for calls and use a cheaper network for data. If you have a phone that supports an eSIM, we highly recommend you do it. It may also be a good idea to keep an eye out for data deals on Black Friday.
Here's how you can begin the porting process to any network if you are on prepaid. If you're on a contract, wait for your 24 months to be over otherwise you will be subject to penalties for early cancellation. The process usually takes a day or two at most, and if you're lucky, 12 hours.
Port to Telkom
A new prepaid Telkom SIM or eSIM is free from any Telkom branch, just complete the RICA process. From your existing SIM, SMS "PORTME# ID Number# ICCID#" to 081 160 7678. The ICCID is the 20-digit number found on the new SIM or eSIM starter pack.
If you're using a physical SIM, wait for it to go offline from your old provider, it should take 1-2 days, and then insert your new Telkom SIM into your phone and you should be connected.
If you're switching to an eSIM, you will need to scan a QR code and wait for connectivity to appear on your phone. In this instance, your physical SIM slot will then be free to add any other (data) SIM.
Port to Vodacom
Purchase a new prepaid Vodacom SIM card complete the RICA process. On your existing number, SMS the word "portme" followed by your new SIM number you just purchased to 082 767 8287.
You will receive two SMSs: a confirmation, and a porting date. Then dial 136 after your port date to activate your new SIM card.
Port to MTN
Purchase a new prepaid MTN SIM but do not open the starter pack and complete the RICA process. From your existing number, SMS "PortMe#" followed by your new MTN number to 083 767 8287. You will receive an SMS confirming if the request was authorised or declined.
The next day you can insert the new MTN SIM card into your mobile device and dial 136 to activate it.
Port to Cell C
Purchase a Cell C starter pack in store and complete the RICA process. On your existing number, SMS your new SIM serial number to 084 767 8287. You will receive two confirmation SMSs.
Wait for your old SIM to lose network and then insert the new SIM.
*eSIM is an embedded SIM that is virtual and works the same way as a physical SIM card. It is only available on certain devices.
Here's a list of smartphones that support eSIM functionality in SA:
- All iPhones from 2018 onwards: Xr, Xs, Xs Max and later
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and S20 onwards
- Samsung Z Series and upwards
- Huawei P40 and Mate 40 range
