South African Cellphone Number Prefixes: Which Network Is 060, 061, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 068 or 069?

If you've received a call or message from an unfamiliar South African cellphone number, the first few digits can give you an idea of which mobile network originally issued the number.

Older prefixes are relatively straightforward. For example, 082 and 072 are traditionally associated with Vodacom, while 083 and 073 are associated with MTN.

Newer South African cellphone prefixes – particularly numbers beginning with 06 – are more complicated. A single three-digit prefix such as 060, 063 or 065 can contain number blocks allocated to several different networks.

Here is a quick guide.

Important: A Prefix Doesn't Always Tell You the Current Network

There is an important catch when trying to identify a South African mobile network from its number.

South Africans can port their cellphone numbers between networks.

Someone could therefore have originally received an 082 Vodacom number and later moved that same number to MTN, Telkom or another network.

The prefixes in this guide are best understood as the network or networks to which the number ranges were originally allocated. They cannot always tell you which network a specific cellphone number currently uses.

Which Network Is 060?

060 numbers can belong to several different original network allocations.

The fourth digit is important:

So simply seeing 060 is not enough to determine the original network. You need at least the first four digits.

For example:

0604 → originally MTN
0607 → originally Vodacom
0602 → originally Telkom

The number could subsequently have been ported to another network.

Which Network Is 061?

061 numbers are primarily associated with Cell C, although parts of the range have also been allocated to Telkom.

Historically, much of the 061 range was issued to Cell C as South Africa required additional mobile numbering capacity.

Because allocations can occur at a smaller block level – and numbers can subsequently be ported – it is safer not to assume every 061 number currently operates on Cell C.

Which Network Is 062?

062 is associated with Cell C.

This is one of the simpler 06-series prefixes compared with ranges such as 060, 064 and 065.

However, mobile number portability still means an individual 062 number may subsequently have moved to another network.

Which Network Is 063?

063 numbers can originally be from either MTN or Vodacom.

The range is divided into smaller blocks:

For example, an 0632 number would traditionally point to MTN, whereas 0636 would point to Vodacom.

Again, this identifies the original allocation rather than guaranteeing the person's current network.

Which Network Is 064?

064 is shared between MTN, Cell C and Vodacom.

The original allocations include:

This makes 064 another prefix where the first three digits alone aren't enough.

An 0642 number, for example, was originally associated with Cell C, while 0648 was originally associated with Vodacom.

Which Network Is 065?

065 is shared between Cell C, MTN and Telkom.

The number blocks have historically included:

Therefore:

0652 → originally Cell C
0656 → originally MTN
0659 → originally Telkom

Number portability can still change the current network.

Which Network Is 066?

066 is primarily associated with Vodacom.

Compared with many of the other 06-series numbers, this makes 066 relatively easy to identify from its original allocation.

That doesn't necessarily mean every person using an 066 number today is still a Vodacom customer, since the number may have been ported.

Which Network Is 067?

067 numbers are shared between Telkom and Vodacom.

Historical allocations include:

For example, 0674 originally indicates Vodacom, while 0678 indicates Telkom.

Which Network Is 068?

068 numbers are primarily split between Telkom and MTN.

The original number blocks include:

So an 0682 number was originally associated with Telkom, while an 0688 number was originally associated with MTN.

Which Network Is 069?

069 numbers are associated primarily with MTN and Telkom allocations.

The range has historically been divided as follows:

This means an 0690 number and an 0695 number do not necessarily originate from the same network even though both start with 069.

This distinction is particularly important because asking "Which network is 069?" doesn't have a single-network answer.

What About 071, 072, 073 and Other 07 Numbers?

South Africa's older 07-series numbers are generally easier to recognise.

The 071 range is another exception where smaller number blocks were allocated to different networks.

Traditionally:

0710 → MTN
0711–0716 → Vodacom
0717–0719 → MTN

What About 081, 082, 083 and 084?

Some of South Africa's most recognisable mobile prefixes fall into the 08 range.

082 and 083 are particularly recognisable because they were among the original cellphone prefixes used by Vodacom and MTN respectively.

Why Does South Africa Have So Many Cellphone Prefixes?

South Africa's mobile market has expanded enormously since the first GSM networks launched.

As the number of mobile subscribers, SIM cards and connected devices increased, additional number ranges had to be made available.

ICASA, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, manages the country's national numbering resources. Modern ranges can be allocated in smaller blocks, which is why newer prefixes such as 060, 064 and 065 can be shared by multiple operators rather than belonging entirely to one network.

Can I Tell Who Owns a Number From the Prefix?

No.

A cellphone prefix can provide information about the number range and its original network allocation, but it does not reveal the identity of the person who owns the number.

You should also be cautious of websites or services claiming they can reveal the personal identity of an unknown caller simply from a South African cellphone number.

Can I Tell If a Number Is a Scam From Its Prefix?

No. A particular cellphone prefix does not mean a call is legitimate or a scam.

Scammers can use ordinary South African cellphone numbers, and legitimate people and businesses can use any of the normal mobile number ranges.

An unfamiliar 060, 069, 072 or 082 number should therefore not automatically be considered suspicious simply because of its prefix.

If an unknown caller asks for passwords, OTPs, banking credentials or other sensitive information, do not provide it simply because the number appears to be South African.

Quick Reference: Major South African Mobile Prefixes

If you just want the short version:

Vodacom: traditionally includes 072, 076, 079 and 082, plus portions of several newer ranges.

MTN: traditionally includes 073, 078 and 083, plus portions of several newer ranges.

Cell C: traditionally includes 062, 074 and 084, plus portions of newer ranges such as 061, 064 and 065.

Telkom: has significant allocations within newer ranges including 060, 061, 065, 067, 068, 069 and 081.

The newer 06x numbers are often shared at sub-prefix level, so checking four digits rather than only the first three can give a much better indication of the number's original network.

And because South Africa supports mobile number portability, none of these prefixes can guarantee which network a number is currently using.

Last updated: October 2026