Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of 2005)RegulationsNumbering Plan Amendment Regulations, 2020Reasons Document, 20204. Mandating vs Harmonisation |
| 4.1. | In the draft Regulations the Authority stated its intention to harmonize the short code “116”. This in turn, and based on the submission received, created uncertainty as to the routing of communication to the short code “116”. |
| 4.2. | In terms of the Regulations harmonisation is defined to mean: |
"a number used to provide a service meeting a common description, as authorized by the Authority”.
| 4.3. | Telkom understood this to have meant that calls to the short code “116” would be routed to each licensee’s respective child help line service provider as stipulated in its submission. This was not the intention. The provision sought to ensure that communication to the short code “116” are routed to a single Child Helpline entity accredited by the Ministry responsible for the well being and rights of Children. |
Authority’s Decision
To give realization to the intended purpose of the amendment and to clarify the uncertainty created by the use of the term “harmonisation” in giving effect to the provision of the short code “116”, the Regulations mandate the provision of the short code “116”.