Lately, South African prepaid electricity users have found frustration in that their prepaid tokens are being rejected or that they are unable to load tokens as easily as in the past. This may stem from the Token Identifier (TID) Rollover set to conclude by the 24th of November 2024. Where one token number was previously generated to be entered, users may find that they are now provided with two additional token numbers. These are referred to as a Key Change Token (KCT).
Below we will discuss both the Key Change Token, the TID Rollover, the importance thereof and what it means to prepaid users.
What is a Key Change Token (KCT) and why do I Need it?
A Key Change Token (KCT) is a set of two 20-digit numbers that need to be entered in sequence, much like your regular credit tokens, to upgrade your prepaid meter to the latest encryption software ensuring that your prepaid meter functions correctly after the TID Rollover.
If you have been issued with a KCT and do not enter them, you will not be able to load any prepaid electricity credit tokens you have purchased and will be left in the dark…literally.
What is the Token Identifier (TID) Rollover?
The Token Identifier (TID) Rollover is a prepaid electricity metering industry undertaking ensuring that all prepaid meters will roll over to a new Token Identifier Code. Each prepaid token that is purchased is encoded with a unique Token Identifier (TID), having a limited range which will run out (rollover) on the 24th of November 2024, much like a car odometer that eventually rolls over to zero.
Therefore, prepaid electricity suppliers and vendors are issuing prepaid electricity users with KCTs to ensure that their meters keep running after the rollover.
How to Upgrade Your Prepaid Meter Using a Key Change Token (KCT):
When purchasing prepaid electricity recharge tokens, prepaid users will also receive two 20-digit token numbers and are available to all prepaid users once the key change system goes live in their area. If you have been issued with a KCT then all you need to do is the following:
Step 1: Key in the first 20 digits of your Key Change Token and wait for it to be accepted.
Step 2: Key in the second 20 digits of your Key Change Token and wait for it to be accepted.
Step 3 and especially important: Key in the 20 digits of your purchased token to load prepaid electricity credits.
Depending on the type of prepaid meter that you have you may have to press hash (#) or enter after entering each set of digits.
It is also important to note that any credit available on your meter prior to recoding will be unaffected and if you have lost your Key Change Token numbers provided to you, you will be able to obtain another set from your vendor.
For more information on the TID Rollover you can visit https://www.tidrollover.com/ Happy recoding, if you have an issue with processing your KCTs it is advised to contact your prepaid supplier or vendor for assistance.