087 numbers are a great way to establish a national presence in South Africa. So, if you’re looking for a phone number for your South Africa-based business or if you’re interested in expanding to the SA market, this may be the solution for you.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of these South Africa numbers, their benefits, how to get one, and FAQs.
What are South Africa 087 Numbers?
087 numbers are national numbers from South Africa that start with the country code +27.
Example of South Africa 087 number format: +27 (0) 87 xxx-xxxx.
These types of SA numbers are not associated with a specific geographic area. Instead, they are assigned to the country as a whole. For this reason, 087 numbers are referred to as non-geographic numbers and act as an alternative to toll-free and local phone numbers in South Africa.
Typically, 087 numbers are reachable from anywhere in the world. But, this largely depends on your chosen provider.
How Does 087 Service Work in South Africa?
Many 087 numbers on the market use VoIP technology to successfully connect calls. In other words, they use the internet to transmit voice calls and are not tied to physical phone lines or SIM cards.
This means your business can use cloud-based SA numbers like these to establish a nationwide presence in South Africa, even if you’re not physically present in the area. Simply forward incoming calls to any phone number, PBX, or other VoIP app. And when making outbound calls, business agents can show a local South African caller ID.
Since 087 numbers are national phone numbers, the caller (customers) and the receiver (business) share the cost of the call. So when customers within South Africa call your business, they incur local calling rates, even if your business is located overseas.
Benefits of 087 Numbers
Getting 087 numbers from a cloud phone service provider like Global Call Forwarding offers many benefits for those looking to do business in South Africa. Let’s look at the top advantages for your business:
- Establish a national presence in South Africa, irrespective of where your business resides
- Reduce communication costs by sharing local calling costs with callers
- Improve coverage by being reachable from inside and outside the country
- Expand to the South African market without increasing your overhead costs
- Access with less strict documentation
- Experience advanced cloud communication features for improved call management
- Invest in Africa’s growing economies with minimal risk.
Local vs Non-Geographic Numbers in South Africa
When looking for the right type of international number for your business, you’ll come across three common virtual number types in South Africa:
- local geographic numbers
- toll-free numbers, and
- non-geographic 087 numbers.
Now, toll-free numbers are free for callers to call and operate differently from local numbers and 087 numbers.
But, geographic and non-geographic numbers are similar in nature. So, to better understand the difference between South Africa local and non-geographic numbers, let’s compare these two phone number types:
| South Africa Local Numbers | South Africa 087 Numbers | |
| Definition | Assigned to specific local, geographic areas such as towns or cities | Tied to an entire nation or country |
| Costs | Charged at local calling rates, paid by the caller | Charged at local calling rates, but costs are shared between the caller and receiver |
| Coverage | Receive calls from within the country and some neighboring countries | Reachable country-wide and from anywhere in the world |
| Pro | Allows businesses to establish a local presence | Easier to obtain than local numbers |
| Con | Requires strict documentation to acquire | Less recognizable and familiar to local customers |
Frequently Asked Questions About SA Numbers
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding South Africa numbers:
Q: How many digits do South Africa 087 numbers include?
A: There are 10 digits in national SA numbers. Example: (087) xxx-xxxx.
Q: How do you call 087 numbers from outside South Africa?
A: To call a 087 number from an outside country, first dial the international call prefix (or dial out code) of the country you’re calling from. Then, type the country calling code of the country you’re trying to call – in this case South Africa (27). And finally, dial the national phone number of your desired destination.
So, if you’re calling from the U.S. you would dial – 011 27 087 xxx xxxx
Q: How much do South Africa numbers cost?
A: Global Call Forwarding offers South Africa numbers starting at $12.95 per month. We offer five different cloud phone number plans for toll-free, national, and local numbers. Each plan comes with monthly minutes plus an additional per-minute rate.
Q: What documents are required to get 087 numbers?
A: Depending on your provider, you may have to submit different types of documentation when ordering an international phone number. The most commonly requested types of documentation are proof of address, proof of ID, proof of business, and a letter of intent.
How to Get South Africa 087 Numbers from Global Call Forwarding
To get a South Africa phone number from Global Call Forwarding, you can either speak with one of our representatives or purchase online on our website.
To purchase your numbers online, watch the above video or follow these steps:
- Visit our Pricing page.
- Select your new number from the left dialog box.
- Choose South Africa, National, 087 prefix, and number available.
- Then, enter the necessary information in the right dialog box to have your calls forwarded.
Note: You can forward calls to any location or VoIP/SIP system. - Click on View Rates and choose from our five different plans.
- Add premium services, if desired. We offer Call Recording, Outbound Calling, and Rollover Minutes.
- Submit your order and wait for your service to be activated.
Want to learn more about South Africa numbers and which number type is right for your business? Consult with our global telecom experts today. Call us or chat with us online!
