Prepaid Meter – South African households and businesses using prepaid electricity meters are facing a significant change starting September 2025. As part of a nationwide Token Identifier (TID) rollover process, all prepaid meters must be updated to a new billing system. This transformation is crucial because, after a certain date in 2025, older prepaid meters will no longer be able to accept top-up tokens, meaning millions could be left without power if they fail to update in time. The electricity sector in South Africa is undergoing a critical technical upgrade to ensure that the country’s 20-year-old prepaid metering infrastructure doesn’t collapse. The update involves changing how tokens are recognized and processed by meters — a system built on 24-bit coding that will reset on 24 November 2024. This is not just a routine update; it’s a nationwide overhaul that affects over 10 million prepaid meters. If your meter isn’t updated before the deadline, you could be locked out of your electricity supply until manual intervention is done — which could take days or weeks. Municipalities and Eskom have already begun public awareness campaigns, encouraging residents to check their meter status and prepare in advance. The goal of this article is to help you understand everything about the upcoming prepaid meter changes, what actions you must take, and how to ensure a seamless transition without risking power outages.
What Is the Prepaid Meter TID Rollover and Why It Matters
The Token Identifier Rollover is a technical necessity to prevent the meter token system from becoming invalid. Here’s what you need to understand:
- TID is a 24-bit number used in prepaid meters to verify top-up tokens.
- On 24 November 2024, this TID will roll over to zero.
- After the rollover, old tokens will be rejected by the meter.
- If meters are not updated, users will be unable to load electricity.
- Meter updates must be done before September 2025 to avoid service disruption.
Key Technical Points Behind the Change
These changes are happening due to a global coding limitation that South Africa must adhere to:
- All meters globally using 24-bit TID tokens will reach their maximum value in November 2024.
- Without updating the meter, token purchases will be rendered useless.
- Eskom and municipalities will issue two special tokens to update your meter.
Timeline and Deadlines – What You Must Know
The implementation will follow a strict timeline. Residents are urged not to wait until the last moment.
| Phase | Date Range | Description | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awareness Drive | June 2024 – Aug 2024 | Notices and SMS alerts | Read and respond to alerts |
| Rollout Begins | September 2024 | Distribution of update tokens | Load both tokens immediately |
| Grace Period Ends | November 2024 | TID expires for old system | Meter must be updated |
| Enforcement Begins | December 2024 – Jan 2025 | Non-updated meters start rejecting tokens | Update before or during this phase |
| Final Update Phase | February 2025 – Aug 2025 | Last round of updates | Update urgently to prevent lockout |
| System Deadline | 24 November 2025 | TID fully resets globally | No support for old tokens anymore |
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Failure to update by the cutoff means:
- Meter stops accepting tokens.
- Household or business may lose power access.
- Delay in reactivation due to backlog.
- You may incur reconnection or admin fees.
How to Update Your Prepaid Meter Step-by-Step
Updating the meter is free and can be done by following a few simple steps once you receive the update codes.
- Step 1: Purchase electricity from your usual vendor.
- Step 2: You will receive 3 tokens instead of 1.
- Step 3: Enter the first token (Key Change Token 1) into your meter.
- Step 4: Enter the second token (Key Change Token 2).
- Step 5: Enter the third token (your actual electricity token).
- Step 6: Your meter is now updated and ready for future tokens.
Where to Get Help If You Face Issues During Update
If you encounter any error during the process:
- Do not keep entering the same tokens repeatedly.
- Contact your local municipal electricity office immediately.
- Call the Eskom National Call Centre at 08600 37566 for guidance.
- Retain all your printed tokens for support queries.
Municipalities Leading the Meter Upgrade Campaign
Some municipalities have already begun issuing update tokens and conducting public campaigns. Below is a list of key metros and their respective contacts.
| Municipality | Update Hotline | Website | Support Email |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Johannesburg | 0800 00 25 87 | www.joburg.org.za | prepaidupdate@joburg.org.za |
| Tshwane Municipality | 012 358 9999 | www.tshwane.gov.za | electricity@tshwane.gov.za |
| eThekwini Metro | 080 1313 111 | www.durban.gov.za | prepaid@durban.gov.za |
| Nelson Mandela Bay | 041 506 5595 | www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za | support@nmbmetro.gov.za |
| Buffalo City | 043 705 9111 | www.buffalocitymetro.gov.za | electricity@buffalocity.gov.za |
| Cape Town Metro | 0860 103 089 | www.capetown.gov.za | powerupdate@capetown.gov.za |
| Eskom Direct | 08600 37566 | www.eskom.co.za | updates@eskom.co.za |
How to Check If Your Meter Has Been Updated Already
Many households may have already completed the update without realizing it. Here’s how to verify:
- Press the “Enter” or “Info” button on your meter keypad.
- Look for a display that shows TID rollover update or new encryption key.
- Contact your electricity provider if you are unsure.
- Old meters will prompt errors if outdated tokens are entered.
Tips to Avoid Update Scams
Fraudsters are using this rollout to trick unsuspecting citizens. Stay alert by:
- Never paying anyone cash to “update” your meter.
- Update tokens are free with your regular electricity purchase.
- Official staff will always wear ID badges and uniforms.
- Report suspicious behavior to your local municipality.
Advantages of the New Prepaid Meter Billing System
The upgrade not only prevents token expiry but also provides new benefits:
- Enhanced security with encrypted token validation.
- Better customer support and faster issue resolution.
- Future readiness for smart meter integration.
- More reliable electricity load management.
What It Means for Future Meter Installations
For all new housing projects or meter replacements:
- Only updated, compliant meters will be installed.
- You won’t face this rollover issue again.
- Maintenance and monitoring will be more efficient.
Impact on Low-Income Households and Free Basic Electricity (FBE)
Municipalities have assured that Free Basic Electricity users will still receive their benefits post-update:
- Your FBE tokens will be issued the same way.
- You must update your meter once to continue receiving them.
- If you miss the update, your FBE benefit will be paused until corrected.
Rural Areas and Load-Shedding Zones
Special task teams will assist rural areas and load-shedding regions:
- Mobile teams are being deployed for remote updates.
- Priority is given to clinics, schools, and old-age homes.
- Municipalities are providing printed guides and local call centers.
| Region | Special Update Days | Mobile Units Available | Rural Area Priority Hotline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limpopo | Wednesdays & Fridays | Yes | 0800 111 123 |
| Eastern Cape | Mondays & Saturdays | Yes | 0800 222 456 |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Daily | Yes | 0800 789 321 |
| North West | By Appointment | Limited | 0800 456 654 |
The prepaid meter update is not just a technical formality — it’s a vital step to ensure uninterrupted power supply across South Africa. Don’t delay your update. Check your meter today, look out for update tokens, and reach out to your municipality or Eskom if you need help. This small action now can prevent a massive disruption later.
FAQs of Prepaid Meter
1. What happens if I enter the update tokens in the wrong order?
You’ll need to repeat the process starting from the first token. Contact your supplier if the issue continues.
2. Will my existing units disappear after the update?
No, your existing units will remain intact as long as the update is completed correctly.
3. Can I still use my old tokens after the update?
Only tokens generated after the update will work. Old ones will be rejected.
4. Do I need to replace my prepaid meter device?
In most cases, no. Only outdated or non-compliant meters may need physical replacement.
5. Is there a deadline to update Free Basic Electricity meters too?
Yes, the same deadlines apply. FBE users must update to continue receiving their free units.