Get a National 861 Phone Number in South Africa
An 861 number is a shared-cost national number in South Africa, regulated by ICASA. When a customer calls an 861 number, the cost of the call is split between the caller and the business — callers pay a local rate regardless of where in South Africa they are calling from, and the business absorbs a portion of the call cost. This makes 861 numbers a practical choice for businesses that operate nationwide and want to present a single, unified contact number without tying their brand to a specific city or region. Companies in sectors like retail, financial services, insurance, and customer support commonly use 861 numbers to reduce the barrier for customers to make contact, since callers are not billed at expensive long-distance or mobile rates. Because the number is not linked to a geographic area code, it signals national presence and accessibility. Businesses can route calls from an 861 number to any landline or mobile number, giving flexibility in how and where calls are answered.
Supported features
WhatsApp BusinessWhy use a virtual number for WhatsApp in South Africa
A virtual number for WhatsApp with an 861 area code allows individuals and businesses in National, South Africa to register and verify their WhatsApp accounts without needing a physical SIM card. Using a virtual phone number for WhatsApp means you can receive the verification SMS instantly, making it straightforward to activate both personal and WhatsApp Business API accounts tied to a recognisable National number.
Having a virtual phone number associated with National, South Africa gives your business a credible local presence that customers in the region immediately recognise and trust. Whether you are receiving calls, SMS messages, or WhatsApp enquiries, a virtual phone number for business connected to South Africa ensures your communications feel local and professional, regardless of where your team is actually based.
When you buy a virtual number with an 861 area code, setup is quick and requires no hardware or complex infrastructure, making it ideal for businesses in National looking to launch support lines, sales channels, or marketing campaigns. Integrating your virtual phone number for business with the WhatsApp Cloud API enables automated messaging workflows and scalable customer engagement, giving teams a practical and efficient communication solution from day one.
Regulatory requirements
Personal
Name and contact phone number.
Passport or ID copy.
Business
Name, business name and contact phone number.
Company registration certificate shall be provided along with passport copy.
Address
Proof of address form (a copy of utility bill no older than of 6 months).
Nearby Area Codes
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this number with WhatsApp?
Yes, this number is compatible with WhatsApp. Check the supported features section on this page to see exactly which WhatsApp products are available, including WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Business, and WhatsApp Cloud API.
Do I need any documents to buy this number?
Yes, this number requires documentation before it can be activated. Please review the requirements section above for the specific documents you'll need to provide, which may include personal identification, business documents, or proof of address.
Can I receive calls and SMS on this number?
This number supports incoming voice calls, which can be forwarded to any phone number or handled through the 2Chat dashboard. SMS is not available for this number.
How quickly is the number activated?
Activation for this number depends on document verification. Once you submit the required documentation, verification typically takes a few hours. Your number will be activated as soon as your documents are approved.
Can I port my existing number to 2Chat?
Number porting is available for select countries. Contact our support team to check if your current number can be transferred to 2Chat.
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