MASS MAIL 12 OCTOBER 2009 - STANDARDISATION WHEN LISTING TELEPHONE NUMBERS

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
"Participation Builds Unity"

"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"

FDA NEWSLETTER

MASS MAIL
12 OCTOBER 2009
STANDARDISATION WHEN LISTING TELEPHONE NUMBERS
(All)

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THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA proudly presents you with the following information that may add value to Africa's development.

STANDARDISATION WHEN LISTING TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Once again I need to raise this issue on how we write or list our telephone numbers on business cards; websites; promo material and even on event PowerPoint Presentations.

For some time now (2006) the international code when dialing from one country to another has now been standardised as '00' - this to meet international standards. You may recall the international code was prefixed as '+' - to reach South Africa, you would have to dial '09'

I recently chaired the AFRICA CITY LEADERS CONFERENCE and collected a number of business cards from delegates around the continent - when researching the way telephone numbers are written on business cards, I was faced with a zillion combinations - making it very difficult to select the right option. Surprisingly, some business-cards, circulated into the international market, fail to provide the full international codes required to connect.

Most of us who regularly deal throughout the African continent will identify with this issue. All too often, when we endeavor to call a number in a foreign country, and receive no response or receive an engaged signal, we blame the situation on the lack infrastructure. I am not insinuating that there is NO problem with telecommunication infrastructure - I am just trying to highlight the possibility of how the inclusion or exclusion of one digit could cause great frustration.

Therefore, when listing a number we should follow certain basics. A telephone number in Mogale City, Johannesburg, South Africa should be listed as follows:

00 27 (0)11 954 6855 (our telephone number)

00 = Indicates the International Dialing Code
27 = Designates the country - South Africa
(0) = This digit is only required when dialing the number locally e.g. in South Africa - therefore listed in brackets
11 = This is the code for a particular region or area in the Country - e.g. Johannesburg
954 = This is the code that further defines the region or area - Mogale City
6855 = The dedicated number.

A number in London, Great Britain would list their number as follows:

00 44 (0)207 427 2377

00 = Indicates the International Code '00'
44 = Designates the country - Britain
(0) = This digit is only required when dialing the number locally e.g. in Britain - therefore listed in brackets
207 = This is the code for particular region or area - London
427 = This is the code that further defines the region or area
2377 = The dedicated number.

A mobile number (South Africa) would thus be written or listed as follows:
00 27 (0)84 333 7777

Please note that in South Africa the 0860 or 0861 numbers are increasing in popularity - these numbers are also referred to as the 'follow me' numbers - should you move office you can take your number with - and may be used as 'toll free' numbers.

These 0860 or 0861 numbers are subject to the same rules when dialing from a country outside of South Africa - thus dialed and listed as follows: 00 27 (0)86 123 2323

Please forward this email to all your contacts - in particular we need to get the message to printers; DATA capturers; web designers and anyone constantly listing telephone detail.

Take care
Peter

COMMENTS RECEIVED

Dear Peter
I'm afraid your advice is incorrect. The 00 is a South Africa only code. The correct standard for a phone number is: +27119546855
You will find that if people store their numbers on their cell-phones in this format then they will work wherever they go in the world without having to change the international code.
Try it and see.
The format you are recommending will not.
People should be taught that the + should be replaced by the international dialling code for the country being phoned from a regular phone.
Regards
Brian PAXTON
South Africa

The international dialing will soon be 00 - see http://www.countrycallingcodes.com
Peter

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Hi Peter - thanks for the idea to get more standardisation.
I do find that when in Europe most use the + instead of the 00 now that it has become the common prefix for international dialling.
It works fine from cell phones dialling from European countries to other ones and to Africa and America so sugest that either 00 or + is equally acceptable
Cheers,
Liz
Liz ANDERSON
South Africa

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Hello Peter
I found your email very helpful, thank you.
I have some notion that the fax to email numbers may only be for local usage ie in RSA and that they will not work for foreign faxes etc when the international prefix has to be used.
Perhaps you would be in a position to clarify - I refer to the 0866 numbers typically- there may be others?
Regards
Mike LINTON
South Africa

Correct Mike
Fax to emails are very localized.
Peter

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