Indaba
4notify South Africa · Government Gazette
OFFICIAL · ICASA · WASPA
Indaba No
IND-ZA-002
Date
2026-05-27
Status
In force
Category
Telecommunications

ICASA numbering plan, alphanumeric Sender ID and RICA: an indaba on A2P SMS traffic into South Africa

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) regulates the +27 numbering plan and alphanumeric Sender ID. WASPA (the Wireless Application Service Providers' Association) administers the industry code of conduct. 4notify routes over tier-1 direct interconnects with Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C and registers Sender IDs per network, with RICA-aligned subscriber records.

SMSVoice
Preamble

Section 1 — In terms of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 and the WASPA Code of Conduct, this Indaba is convened on the delivery of A2P SMS traffic into South Africa and the registration of alphanumeric Sender IDs.

Statutory basis
Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005

ICASA's authority over the numbering plan, licensing and Sender-ID conventions.

RICA (Act 70 of 2002)

SIM-card registration; subscriber identity records for interception lawfulness.

WASPA Code of Conduct

Industry rules on consent, opt-out keyword handling and content delivery.

Implementation
01

ICASA registration + operator agreements

4notify is registered with the relevant ICASA framework and holds alphanumeric Sender-ID agreements with all four operators.

02

Alphanumeric Sender ID registration

Brands register Sender IDs (e.g. "FNB", "TAKEALOT") with each operator. Required: CIPC company registration, sample message. Activation: 5-10 working days.

03

RICA-aligned subscriber records

Two-way numbers carry RICA-registered subscriber records; mismatched or unregistered ranges are flagged at the API edge.

04

STOP keyword handling (WASPA)

Every marketing message processes STOP and OPTOUT within the WASPA window and updates the suppression list across all four networks.

Delivery envelope
json
{
  "event": "sms.delivery",
  "destination": "+27821234567",
  "sender_id": "TAKEALOT",
  "sender_token": "CIPC-2026-TAKEALOT-3001234",
  "text": "Takealot: Order 481923 is out for delivery. Track: tkl.co/abc. Reply STOP to opt out.",
  "waspa_consent": "on_record",
  "operator_route": "vodacom_direct"
}
Sample message
SMS

Takealot: Order 481923 is out for delivery. Track: tkl.co/abc. Reply STOP to opt out.

Compliance checklist
  • ICASA registration framework on file
  • Alphanumeric Sender ID registered on all four networks
  • RICA-aligned subscriber records verified at the API edge
  • WASPA STOP/OPTOUT handling documented
The 4notify difference

4notify is the only A2P provider with simultaneous Sender-ID coverage and RICA-aligned subscriber records across Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, mirroring the WASPA opt-out list at the API edge.

Frequently asked questions
Do I need a South African entity to send SMS into South Africa?

No. 4notify manages tier-1 interconnects from EU infrastructure. For Sender-ID registration the brand provides CIPC company registration and a sample message; WASPA consent records remain with the brand as the content provider.

What is WASPA and why does it matter?

WASPA is the self-regulatory body for wireless application service providers in South Africa. Its Code of Conduct governs consent, opt-out keyword handling and content; non-compliance can lead to fines and suspension of short codes.

Convened by
4notify Operations Office
2026-05-27 · IND-ZA-002

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