Telkom National Relay System

Communication without barriers

Equal access to information made possible by Telkom

Interpretation services for instant communication

3 minute read

The Telkom National Relay System has arrived, truly enabling a new era of possibility and access to information for all who experience hearing and/or speech impairments.

Supported customer types: Postpaid, Prepaid, TopUp

The National Relay System (NRS) enables Telkom Postpaid, TopUp (Hybrid) and Prepaid customers who have either hearing and/or speech challenges to contact hearing people in real-time.The system connects customers to a Sign Language Interpreter who will assist the customer.

The National Relay System interpreter service is provided free of charge for Telkom customers using a Telkom SIM. Customers need data to access the NRS platform and must first register to the NRS platform with their Telkom mobile number. During the registration process, the nature of their disability will also be requested.

Get training on the platform

SA Sign Language interpreter access

Once registered, customers can access the NRS platform to make video calls to a trained agent who is also a SA Sign Language Interpreter. The agent will assist customers in interpreting their message to hearing persons using a phone, while simultaneously signing their responses and conversation to the customer via the video relay call functionality on the NRS platform.

Video relay calls explained

This video interpreting service provides instant, on-demand communication between a South African sign-language interpreter, a customer (who is deaf/hearing or speech impaired) and a third-party, where each party is in a different location. The NRS offers the following relay services: video, type and read; speak and listen and chat functionality while on the call.

What is the Telkom National Relay System?

1. Who can use the Telkom NRS?

Deaf, hearing- and speech-impaired Telkom mobile customers, both Postpaid, TopUp (Hybrid) and Prepaid customers with a valid Telkom mobile SIM card.

2. How to register for the Relay System

Yes, customers must register to access the NRS platform.

The portal can be accessed via the Telkom website at www.telkom.co.za.

Click on Help at the top of the page and then National Relay System, or alternatively, access the NRS directly here: https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za

3. How do customers register to the NRS?

Step-by-step NRS registration guide

Telkom has partnered with Kutoa to provide these NRS services to customers with hearing and/or speech impairments. Go to https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za to register. During registration, customers will be asked to provide their name, Telkom mobile number, and the nature of their disability.

The registration process

⮚ Go to https://telkom.nrsportal.co.za and click on the ‘Sign Up’ link near the bottom of the page.

⮚ Fill in the required information, including the customer’s name, cellphone number, nature of their disability, and communication preference.

⮚ The portal will validate if the cellphone number is a Telkom number. Only Telkom customers can register to use the service. Numbers from other mobile operators will not be valid.

⮚ Customers will be authenticated via a One-Time Pin (OTP). This ensures that only Telkom authenticated customers can place calls through the Telkom NRS Portal.

⮚ Create portal login credentials, including a password.