How to Send a Please Call Me on Telkom
The free *140* USSD callback on Telkom Mobile — exact steps, daily limits, troubleshooting and how it compares to Vodacom, MTN and Cell C.
What is a Telkom Please Call Me?
A Please Call Me on Telkom Mobile is a free, airtime-less notification sent over USSD that asks another mobile user to call you back. It's part of South Africa's regulated set of free network services and is available on every Telkom Mobile prepaid or contract SIM, even when your airtime balance is R0.
The recipient receives a text-style alert showing your number and a short "please call me" message. They can then return the call from their own airtime, contract minutes or a Wi-Fi calling app. It's the most-used emergency communication channel on prepaid lines in SA.
Step-by-step Telkom Please Call Me
1. Open the dialer
On any Telkom Mobile prepaid or contract SIM, open the phone keypad — the same screen you use to make a call.
2. Enter the USSD string
Type *140* then the full 10-digit mobile number you want to reach, then close with #. Example: *140*0821234567#.
3. Press call
Tap the green call/send button. The USSD menu briefly flashes 'Please Call Me sent' and exits — that's it.
4. Wait for the callback
The recipient receives a text-style notification with your number and a 'Please call me' message. They can call you back from their own airtime or data.
Callback codes & daily limits
Standard Please Call Me
*140*MobileNumber# — the everyday free callback request. Works to any SA network (Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom, Rain MVNOs).
Telkom Callback / Reverse Charge
Some Telkom landline and mobile lines support a callback prompt where the receiver accepts the call charge. Availability varies — confirm with Telkom 180 before relying on it.
Daily limit
Telkom Mobile caps free Please Call Me messages at roughly 5 per day per SIM. After that, the USSD returns an error or a 'limit reached' notice until the counter resets at midnight.
Custom message
Telkom does not currently let you attach a custom note to a Please Call Me. The recipient only sees your number and the standard 'please call me' text.
If it's not working
'Service unavailable' error
Usually means signal is weak or the USSD gateway is busy. Move to better coverage and retry. If the issue persists across days, dial 180 from your Telkom mobile to check account status.
Recipient never gets it
If the receiver is on a non-SA network, roaming, or has blocked Please Call Me messages in their handset settings, the request silently fails. Try sending a normal SMS instead.
Daily limit hit
After ~5 sends in 24 hours, Telkom blocks further free requests. Wait until midnight or buy R2 of airtime to send a regular SMS.
Out of airtime AND out of Please Call Mes
Telkom Mobile gives you up to 5 free Please Call Mes per day even with R0 airtime. If both are exhausted, you'll need to top up — *188# checks your balance.
Telkom vs Vodacom, MTN and Cell C
Every major SA network offers a free Please Call Me, but the USSD prefix differs. The daily limit (~5) is consistent across networks.
| Network | USSD Code | Daily Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telkom Mobile | *140*Number# | ≈5 per day | Free, works to any SA network. |
| Vodacom | *140*Number# | 5 per day | Same syntax. Free to send and receive. |
| MTN | *121*Number# | 5 per day | Different prefix — *121*, not *140*. |
| Cell C | *111*Number# | 5 per day | Uses *111* prefix; otherwise identical. |
Once you've used your free callbacks, a normal SMS is the cheapest backup at roughly 50c on Telkom prepaid. If you're constantly running out of airtime to receive callbacks, a fixed home connection like Telkom fibre paired with WhatsApp calling effectively eliminates the need for Please Call Me altogether — see our wider guide to fibre ISPs in South Africa for cost comparisons.
Telkom Please Call Me questions
Tired of running out of airtime?
Move your home onto uncapped Telkom fibre and use WhatsApp/voice calls for free over Wi-Fi.