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TID Rollover – what does this mean for us?

By Daleen van Dyk, Director IT & Marketing, MidCity Property Group

In the digital landscape, where digital transactions are the lifeblood of countless processes, the smooth and uninterrupted flow of data is paramount.

As technology evolves and security threats grow more sophisticated, the importance of necessary changes cannot be overstated. Yet, despite its critical role, many remain unfamiliar with its intricacies and implications.

What is the Token Identifier (TID) Rollover?

“The Token Identifier is a 24 bit field, contained in STS compliant tokens, that identifies the date and time of the token generation. It is used to determine if a token has already been used in a payment meter. The TID represents the minutes elapsed since the 1st January 1993. The incrementing of the 24 bit field means that at some point in time, the TID value will roll over to a zero value.” 

(https://www.sts.org.za/tid-rollover#gsc.tab=0).

For example, when tokens are generated for electricity meters, a TID is generated and gets encrypted.

The TID of a meter is similar to a counter and started with a base date in 1993.  By 24 November 2024, we would have run out of the sequence and meters will not be able to accept tokens.

How do we prevent this?

The key revision number (KRN) of all meters needs to be changed by 24 November 2024.  By changing the KRN of a meter, the meter is set to accept tokens.  The base date of the meters will change from 1993 to 2014.  This will give us another 31 years of encrypted tokens.

What does this mean for MidCity Utility users?

To streamline the process for our clients, MidCity Utilities will take the burden on our shoulders.  At MidCity Utilities, we believe in a proactive approach and we would like to follow a process to make the rollover as seamless as possible, using our own software, Meter Manager SA (Pty) Ltd, which will have minimal effect on all users.

During the next couple of months, more communication will follow to all our MidCity Utilities clients regarding the process and what they need to know.

We are in the final stages of testing after which the project will be communicated to all our clients & users.

Join us as we embark on a journey which will happen for some of us only once in a lifetime.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I purchase pre-paid electricity?

By making use of one of the following:

  • MidCity Utilities App
  • MidCity Utilities Website
  • Internet Banking
  • Unipin vouchers
Where can I buy a Unipin voucher?
  • Unipin vouchers can be purchased at registered retailers, garages and other suppliers.
How do I load a Unipin voucher?
  • When providing your pre-paid meter number to the cashier, the pre-paid purchase will transfer over to the meter automatically.
  • If you do not provide your meter number to the cashier and you receive the voucher slip, you must follow the steps as set out thereon.
  • Make sure you are using the correct meter number.
Where do I get my meter number/meter serial number?
  • After registering with MidCity Utilities for pre-paid electricity, our Customer Care Personnel will SMS you your meter number.
  • When you register for the Mobile App or on our website, you will also be able to see your meter number.
  • Clients who also request to receive monthly statements, even though they are on pre-paid, will be able to see their meter number on their monthly statement.
  • Contact our Customer Care Personnel.
How do I see what my meter balance is?
  • Log in to either our Mobile App or website.
  • SMS the word Balance (space) meter number to 37823. You will receive an SMS with your meter balance and predicted zero balance date.
  • Use your keypad, if you have one.
Will I receive low balance warnings or notifications?
  • Yes. A low balance notification will be sent to the registered cell phone number that is loaded onto our system.
  • The low balance notification will be sent 48 hours before the calculated depletion date.
  • The depletion date received on the low balance notification, Mobile App or website is an estimation and depends on a client’s consumption habits and changes.
How do I know that credit has been loaded?

Mobile App or Website

  • The final step in the process on the Mobile App or website will indicate if the transaction was successful.
  • Transfer of credits to the meter can take approximately 10 minutes after the purchase is completed successfully.
  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Internet Banking

  • Confirmation of transaction is provided by your banking service.
  • You will receive an SMS or email with the value of the token as well as the 20-digit code already loaded on your meter.
  • Purchases through Internet Banking can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.
  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Unipin voucher

  • After following the process reflected on the voucher with your cell phone, you will receive confirmation and notification on your device.
  • Purchases through Unipin vouchers can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.
  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.
My token is not loading. What do I do?