How long have you had your mobile number?
Zuko Komisa

Most of us know our mobile number by heart, it is the digital link to our banking, work, and social lives.
However, new ICASA rules starting in January 2027 mean you could lose your number if you let it sit idle. Any SIM card left without revenue-generating activity such as a paid call, text, or data use for 90 consecutive days will be deactivated.
To protect consumers, networks must flag inactive lines after 60 days and send at least two reminders before disconnection.
Customers can also request to freeze their number for up to 183 days if they are travelling or temporarily offline.
This change will particularly affect people who keep secondary SIMs just to receive OTPs or incoming calls.
“These amended Regulations aim to standardize how mobile numbers are managed across all operators and protect consumers from losing access to their mobile numbers without adequate notice,” explained ICASA Numbering Resources Committee Chairperson, Councillor Cathrine Mushi.
Some of us have kept the same number for decades, while others swap SIMs regularly.
Drive 959 recently asked, how long have you had your mobile number? Do you use multiple SIMs, or are you loyal to your original digits?
Listen to the full conversation here:
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