On 01 March 2019, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“the Authority”) published a notice in Government Gazette No. 42272 notifying its intention to amend the regulation 17 of the Numbering Plan Regulations, 2016 (“the Regulations”) to give effect to the implementation of the short code “116” for the provision of Child Helpline services; following a Communications Regulatory Association of Southern Africa’s (“CRASA”) Resolution. Stakeholders were given a period of thirty (30) working days, from the date of publication, to make submission to the Authority on the proposed amendment.

By the deadline the Authority received written submissions which contributed to the proposed amendment to the Numbering Plan Regulations as follows:

Below we outline the Authority’s decisions and reasons.

1. Implementation of the Short Code "116" for Child Helpline Services

2. Stakeholders Submissions

3. Authority's Reasons

4. Mandating vs Harmonisation

[Reasons Document 2020 inserted by Notice No. 245, GG43230, dated 15 April 2020]