Error Invalid Number - SMS to international number
 

I have received more than one SMS from a friend in South Africa. However, when I push reply or manually enter the number using either "+" or "011" I get the following message from +1(1) (216) 116-11

"Please resend using a valid 10 digit mobile number of valid short code."

Since the number is for South Africa, there are 11 digits which is not unusual for international numbers. However, I do not know how to go about getting a "short code" and whether it might work.

I want to avoid the solution I see on this page and others that still doesn't work for many: http://www.iphonetopics.com/error-in...s-iphone-ipad/ and https://forums.att.com/t5/Apple/Erro...264328#M233001

The correct sequence of digits to dial is +27 (country code) followed by the area code (or std code or mobile service provide code) without the leading zero followed by the number. For example to dial a number associated with the mobile service provider 082 the sequence is +2782<phone number>

Thank you but I am not making that well-known mistake.

I most frequently use +27 (79) xxxxxxx.

Have you tried 011 27 79 xxxxxxx. Baring that (and an outside possibility, in the US), also 00 instead of 011. An awful lot of number analysis, and translation, can go on inside your operators core network, once you've clicked send :).

I've seen instances, when using one US network, where + was being translated incorrectly for me (i.e. an error in their core network).

Yes, apparently he has according to his OP below: