Cellphone numbers nationalised?

Issued by: Globel Trend

Attention: News / Technology Editors

For immediate release:

CELL PHONE NUMBERS NATIONALISED

The nationalisation of cell phone numbers has already taken
place! This was the shocking discovery of the South African
entrepreneur who this week launched the public information website
for cell phone words in South Africa.

According to a letter from Vodacom on 2 July 2010, cell phone
numbers are classified as a "National Resource".

This information however is not reflected in any of the Terms
and Conditions stipulated by the three cellular operators in South
Africa. In fact, each of their Terms and Conditions continues to
elude subscribers.

The wording on the front cover of all Starter Packs state
"*Terms & conditions apply", yet these do not appear in the Starter
Packs. ‘Pay as you go’ subscribers are advised to read the
respective Terms and Conditions on the operator’s website which
again are not to be found! A copy of an operator’s 24-month
contract would not be provided to the entrepreneur until he signed
a contract.

This lack of transparency therefore begs the question: While
operators are quick to advertise ‘Number for Life’ and ‘Number
Portability’, what leverage does a subscriber have in terms of
trading their cell phone number?

ICASA regulations stipulate the following: "a person to whom the
number has been legitimately issued, may enjoy the beneficial use
of the number, freely and without hindrance." So while a cell phone
number does not belong to its holder, subscribers are entitled to
sell the 'right to the use' of the number.

This regulation came into being in 2006, however, the
entrepreneur is in possession of a fixed term contract signed in
October 2007 which states in clause 8.2 that ownership of the SIM
card and cell phone number allocated to the customer shall at all
times be vested with the VSP (Vodacom Service Provider).

Cell C has the following clause in its fixed term contract:
"Cell C SP (Service Provider) reserves the right to alter the SIM
card or subscriber phone number allocated to the subscriber."

Disclosure of some of the legalities involved in protecting and
trading a cell phone number have been made available on the website
(www.rememberforever.co.za) under ‘Critical Information’ to assist
your readers | listeners | viewers.

Phone words are already actively used in South Africa through
Telkom by means of toll-free landlines, yet there are an ever
increasing number of individuals, professionals and business owners
who want the flexibility of a number while on the move. Since cell
phone ‘word numbers’ are now an option in South Africa with the
launch this week of the public information website,
www.rememberforever.co.za, there still exists great uncertainty
among the public on how to trade these numbers for the benefit of
users.

Click to expand...

Budza said:

So, you can't get a lekker number like 0831231234 or something then sell it?

Click to expand...

Budza said:

I remember scratching through the prepaid starter pack bin looking for a decent number. Guess now the MNOs think they know best...

Click to expand...