If there are any challenges in loading the KCT, customers can contact the City of Tshwane contact centres, or send an e-mail to tid@tshwane.gov.za
Alternatively, you can send a WhatsApp on the below numbers:
072 149 8552 for Region 1, 2, 5
076 892 7328 for Region 3, 6
063 671 3132 for Region 4, 7
WhatsApp must contain your COT account number, address and prepaid meter number
All prepaid meters in Tshwane must be upgraded with new software before 24 November 2024, because the token identity numbers will run out in 2024. A token identity number is calculated from a given base date and has a life span of 31 years. The token identity number memory in the meter must be reset and the meter key must be changed to prevent old tokens from being used.
- What is a token identity number?
- An electricity prepaid meter uses a unique 20-digit number called a token to recharge or load credit onto the prepaid meter.
- The token is encoded with a unique value called a token identity.
- The meter decodes the entered 20-digit token to pass the credit to the consumer.
- The entered token is stored to prevent the same token being used more than once.
- The upper limit of these unique token identity numbers will be reached by 24 November 2024.
- What must be done to reset the prepaid meter software?
- Prepaid meter software must be upgraded from STS-1 to STS-2.
- The upgrading of the meter software will entail configuring the prepaid meter to accept tokens for the new token identity number
- If the meter software is not upgraded by the due date, the prepaid meter will not accept any token generated after 24 November 2024.
- Who will be affected by the token identity rollover?
- All prepaid meter users will be affected if their prepaid meters are not upgraded.
- Any token generated after 24 November 2024 will be rejected if the prepaid meters are not upgraded.
- To avoid customers losing any bought credits, customers are urged to enter any unused credit tokens they still have. Once the prepaid meter is upgraded, old credit tokens will not be accepted by the prepaid meter.
- No refunds will be issued.
- How will the token identity rollover be done?
- All prepaid meters will require key change tokens to update the meter software to comply with the STS-2 requirements.
- The key change tokens will be a set of two 20-digit activation codes.
- Two key change tokens will be generated and issued by the City of Tshwane to be inserted into the prepaid meter.
- The key change token process will introduce into the meter a new decoder key to decode tokens after 24 November 2024 or as soon the meter is updated.
- The current base date of 1 January 1993 will be changed to 1 January For this base date, the token identity numbers will reach end of life in 2045.
- The key change tokens will reset the token identity stack to zero and customers are therefore urged to enter all credit tokens into their meter as soon as possible to avoid them being invalidated once their meters are upgraded.
- Unused STS-1 tokens will be forfeited if not loaded before the meter is converted to STS-2.
- STS-2 vending keys to be installed on the prepaid meter are linked to the 2014 base date and a new key revision.
- What approach will the City of Tshwane take?
The City will adopt a two-approach process
Approach 1
- The scheduled prepaid consumers will be issued with three sets of tokens when purchasing electricity.
- The first two tokens will be the key change tokens and the third token will be the new month’s electricity credit token.
- The consumer will need to first enter the two sets of key change tokens issued before entering the newly purchased credit token into the meter.
- After successfully loading the two sets of key change tokens, the credit token can be loaded.
Approach 2
- Dedicated field service officials will be deployed to visit identified prepaid meters that need to be updated.
- The prepaid meter users will be notified when field service officials are in their areas.
- More information can also be sourced from councillors and the City’s website and social media pages.
- The field service advisors will have identification and their identity can be verified with councillors or the customer care support centre.
- Customers are urged to be vigilant during this time as criminal elements might take advantage.
- The operating hours for the field officials will be from 07:30 to 17:30 daily during the winter and 07:30 to 18:00 in the summer.
- What is the schedule for the prepaid meter software upgrade?
The prepaid meter software upgrade will be done per region. The programme started in May 2024 and it is expected that the programme will be completed by 31 October 2024.
- Region 2: 1 to 31 May 2024
- Region 4: 1 to 30 June 2024
- Region 6: 1 to 31 July 2024
- Region 3: 1 to 31 August 2024
- Region 1: 1 to 30 September 2024
- Region 5 and 7: 1 to 31 October 2024
- All regions (project winding down): 1 to 24 November 2024
- How and when do I get my key change tokens?
If your meter falls within the designated area and time frame for the token identity number upgrade, any purchase you make will trigger the issuing of two key change tokens of 20 digits each.
You will thus receive the following three tokens:
- First 20-digit token: Key Change 1
- Second 20-digit token: Key Change 2
- Third 20-digit token: Electricity credit token
- What steps do I take to upgrade my meter to STS-2?
Please make sure that all credit tokens already purchased but not yet inserted into the meter are loaded before the meter is updated, as the meter will not accept the old tokens once upgraded.
Step 1: Enter the first 20-digit code (Key Change 1) and wait for it to be accepted.
Step 2: Enter the second 20-digit code (Key Change 2) and wait for it to be accepted.
If both sets of key change tokens are accepted by your meter, then your meter has been successfully upgraded.
Step 3: Enter the third 20-digit token (electricity credit token). If accepted, it is confirmation that your prepaid meter has been upgraded to STS-2.
NB: For your prepaid meter to be successfully upgraded, all three sets of 20-digit tokens issued must be accepted by your prepaid meter.
9.How do I know if my prepaid meter upgrade was successful?
These are the responses that you should receive on your meter if the key change input was successful as per your specific meter make.
Hexing: If the key change is successful, the meter will display a smiley face.
- First key change response: 23
- Second key change response: 24
Unsuccessful key change response: Reject
Conlog: If the key change is successful, the meter will display a smiley face.
- First key change response: CCH1
- Second key change response: CCH2
Unsuccessful key change response: +AAAAAAAAAAAAA
Landis & Gyr: If the key change is successful, the meter will display a smiley face.
- First key change response: Beeping sound
- Second key change response: Beeping sound
Unsuccessful key change response: Sad face on the left
Actom: If the key change is successful, the meter will display a smiley face.
- First key change response: 23
- Second key change response: 24
Unsuccessful key change response: Reject
- Does my prepaid meter need to be replaced to comply with the upgrade?
There is no need for the prepaid meters to be replaced, as most of the prepaid meters that the City of Tshwane has installed are upgradable to STS-2 using the key change tokens, and has been tested at our laboratory. Meters that might malfunction or are no longer in good working condition will be replaced by the City of Tshwane at no cost to the consumer. Tampered meters will be replaced at a cost of the associated tampering fee.
- I am currently off-grid but still have a City of Tshwane prepaid meter. Do I need to upgrade the meter software?
Yes, the upgrade is for all City of Tshwane prepaid meters irrespective of whether you are currently using the prepaid meter or not. All prepaid meters must be upgraded to STS-2.
