The short answer is yes, however we suggest you do not use it.
Telkom will charge you to receive calls as it is directed to a number on the Telkom network. Telkom charges from 65 to 72c per minute to receive calls from a Telkom 086 number onto any other fixed line network i.e. United Telecoms.
To point the 086 smart number to our UBS numbers, you need to contact Telkom and provide them with the UBS number that you require the 086 smart access to be directed or pointed to.
Client to email smartaccess@telkom.co.za - Attached request on company letterhead and statement from United Telecoms.
We do not suggest opting for Telkom 086 numbers as they are routed through a legacy analogue network before being transferred to the United Telecoms network, which can cause a slight delay on the calls.
Sometimes client's forget to pay their Telkom bill, in which case you will not receive any calls. Sometimes Telkom's routing goes wrong and you will not receive calls. For the most part it will work but it will cost you
unnecessary expenditure and add routing complexity to receiving calls.
In our opinion the perception of using an 086 number is skewed. Business owners believe it will give them a national presence and feel.
You can pay even more for an 0860 GOLDEN (Golden number).
In truth South Africans prefer to dial a direct normal number. No one really likes hunting for letters on keypads.
Using a Telkom 086 can cost a small business client more than the his entire United Voice Cloud PBX monthly service fee and calls.
The only time it makes sense, is if the number has been in use for many years and you have the same set of customers calling, i.e. a lot of repeat callers.
If you have a rotational client base, new clients signing up consistently or you have not used it in an extensive amount of marketing material then do not continue to use it.
You may request a 087 number from UBS Telecoms instead. We can on rare occasion offer you an 086 number from the United Telecoms network if you just have to have one (however we have very few so it is only offered in special cases)