MTN changing to 14 Digit numbers

Thor

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Okey so we have a issue and I want to know what I can do now.

We have sims in modems (100s) MTN changed all the numbers to 14 Digits for some reason getting answers from them is like climbing out of a tar pit.

Now the major problem is that these modems receives notifications from FNB, but FNB says they cannot accept 14 digit numbers.

MTN said it is ICASA so if that is true then FNB MUST accept it?
 
For those who read it, a note that migration to 14 digits affects only Machine Related Services (MRS), not a standard voice and data customers.

Implementation was set for 24th March 2017 by ICASA, then postponed last year, so MTN is implementing changes in advance, disregarding fact that implementation is postponed. Found a notice on Vodacom site: https://www.vodacombusiness.co.za/business/solutions/m2m-number-migration-notice

Hope it helps when speaking to MTN.
 
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OT but why would notifications from a bank be sent to a modem?
 
Is this a change to current sims (as opposed to new ones) ?
 
My work experience is with software, not MRS, but I can imagine all sorts of things that can go wrong here. The whole Y2K saga had to do with how many digits were used to represent dates and many, many systems needed to be fixed for that.

The code to check that the phone number is valid must now handle 2 different lengths instead of 1 -- someone somewhere will have to type in the number (except if all manufacturers have automated that).

With caller-id, both sender and receiver side have to be upgraded, and tested, to handle both 10-digit and 14-digit numbers for MTN and non-MTN numbers. The firmware on each and every affected modem will have to be upgraded, after said modems have been identified and located.

With some database designs it may take a bit of work to handle more digits, or numbers of different lengths. Reformatting the data can be tricky. You will also need more storage space for the data, or fewer phone numbers if you can't upgrade the hardware.
 
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My work experience is with software, not MRS, but I can imagine all sorts of things that can go wrong here. The whole Y2K saga had to do with how many digits were used to represent dates and many, many systems needed to be fixed for that.

The code to check that the phone number is valid must now handle 2 different lengths instead of 1 -- someone somewhere will have to type in the number (except if all manufacturers have automated that).

With caller-id, both sender and receiver side have to be upgraded, and tested, to handle both 10-digit and 14-digit numbers for MTN and non-MTN numbers. The firmware on each and every affected modem will have to be upgraded, after said modems have been identified and located.

With some database designs it may take a bit of work to handle more digits, or numbers of different lengths. Reformatting the data can be tricky. You will also need more storage space for the data, or fewer phone numbers if you can't upgrade the hardware.
Done on our end. It's the bank that is not playing ball. Saying they don't have to accept 14 digits numbers.
 
This is premature move from MTN, not synchronised with ICASA. In result not all partners are ready. Your company can sue MTN for damages.
 
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