Have you been wondering how long you can keep your Cell C SIM or number inactive before it is deactivated? The issue of SIMs and numbers being deactivated and recycled is one that’s common in South Africa. All the networks do it. If you don’t use your number within a specified time frame, your SIM is bound to be deactivated and allocated to someone else.
How Long Before my Cell C Sim is Deactivated?
We reached out to Cell C and they told us that SIM cards that are not used within 90 days are automatically deactivated. That means you need to use your SIM within 3 months to avoid this.
Some of the information that’s floating around there suggests 4 months as the duration after which SIMs are deactivated. It appears CellC has since changed that to 3 months. So, take note.
What happens to these numbers?
If you do not use your Cell C number within 4 months, it will be deactivated. That’s how long a number can be inactive on Cell C. But what happens to these numbers? Well, these numbers are then allocated to somebody else.
Do you get notification that your number is about to be deactivated?
The sad thing is that you do not usually get notification that your Cell C number is about to be deactivated. So, the first thing that you will know about it will be when you can no longer use your SIM for anything.
What can you do to recover your deactivated Cell C number?
Cell C states that deactivated SIMs cannot be reinstated. If you want to learn more about how to recover your deactivated number, please read this article. But you need to move fast. If you wait long, it’s possible that your number will be allocated to somebody else.
Should that happen, then that would be the end. We have previously come across people complaining that they have been receiving calls and messages belonging to other people.
That’s because they will have received numbers that had previously belonged to other people. Unfortunately, most people take too long to notice that their numbers have been deactivated. By the time they notice, it will be too late. Their number will already have been allocated to other people.
Leave your questions on the SA Broadband Forum
That’s the answer to the question how long can a Cell C SIM or number be inactive before it is deactivated and allocated to somebody else.
If you need answers to your other questions, we recommend that you post them on our SA Broadband Forum.
We have a panel of experts who stand ready to help you. Also check out our article on how to check your CellC data balance.