How to buy airtime when you do not know the recipient's network
A South African mobile number can keep its prefix after moving to another network. Before sending a direct recharge, use an approved lookup or ask the recipient which network they’re on. A universal voucher can work if the person can receive the PIN securely and redeem it on their network. If neither route is ready, set the allocation aside.
| What you know | What to do first |
|---|---|
| Number confirmed and direct recharge is required | Verify the current network before selecting the product |
| Recipient can receive a PIN and handle redemption | Check the voucher's supported networks and instructions |
| Number could belong to someone else or no longer be active | Contact the recipient through an approved route |
| A recharge attempt already exists with an unknown outcome | Check the original reference before making another purchase |
By Freepaid · Published
Confirm the right thing
A lookup can tell you which network serves a number. To check who uses it, start with your own records. Compare the number against the approved roster or contact the person through a channel your organisation already uses. South African mobile numbers can be ported between networks, so the prefix alone is insufficient for a current network decision. ICASA number portability · SIMcloud mobile network lookup
On a bulk run, check the roster the same way for every recipient. Record where the network information came from and when it was confirmed. If a record was last checked a long time ago or the recipient says they recently switched networks, verify it again before release. Keep only the information needed to fulfil and reconcile the order.
Split out the exceptions before you send
Suppose a team has 200 approved recipients and the network is missing for 24. After checking the numbers, it can confirm the current network for 19 of those 24. Three people can receive and redeem a suitable PIN, and two cannot be reached. The resulting approval list has 195 direct recharges, three vouchers and two held allocations. At an illustrative R25 each, that is R4,950 in face value for 198 people, with R50 held pending confirmation.
| Worksheet field | Example entry |
|---|---|
| Original approval row | Recipient 183 |
| Number ownership check | Confirmed through existing roster |
| Network check | Current result recorded |
| Chosen route | Direct recharge |
| Action after sending | Attach original provider reference and status |
Separate the unresolved records before release. Assign one owner to follow up and give finance the total held. If an unresolved recipient later qualifies for fulfilment, use the original approval record and check that no other route has already delivered the benefit.
Keep the policy simple for repeat programmes
For a recurring roster, confirm numbers when people join or change devices, and recheck records when delivery fails or reports conflict. For a one-off programme, decide how many missing networks you can reasonably resolve before the deadline. If most people can safely redeem a voucher and the campaign allows recipient action, a voucher may simplify preparation. If the recipient needs immediate credit with no redemption step, build network verification into the direct workflow. SIMcloud · AllNetAirtime