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Discover Sentech’s historical journey, from its establishment in 1992 to its evolution as a state-owned entity.
Founded in 1992 as a subsidiary of the SABC, Sentech was transformed into an independent public company by 1996, focusing on unbiased signal distribution. The company expanded into multimedia services, managing significant projects like the FIFA 2010 World Cup and leading the Broadcast Digital Migration. Achieving consistent operational excellence, Sentech recently launched Sentech Connect and participated in the SA Connect initiative, aiming to enhance nationwide broadband access.
Today, Sentech remains a key player in South Africa’s broadcasting and digital infrastructure sectors, supporting the country’s transition to a connected digital economy.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation was self-provisioning signal distribution until Sentech was established in 1992.
Sentech (Pty) Ltd was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the SABC. It took over and was responsible for the SABC’s entire signal distribution function.
Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) published its Triple Inquiry Report which recommended that Sentech be separated from the SABC. There has been a general consensus that the position of Sentech, as a common carrier supplying services to a large part of the industry, is inconsistent with ownership and control by the SABC, and that its shares be transferred to the State.
The Sentech Act 1996 legislated the transfer of all SENTECH shares held by SABC to the State and the conversion of Sentech into a public company. Pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the SABC transferred all signal distribution assets, liabilities, rights and obligations to Sentech.
Sentech Act, No. 63 of 1996 was amended, converting Sentech into a separate public entity responsible for providing broadcasting signal distribution services as a common carrier to licensed television and radio broadcasters.
The IBA issued Sentech’s first service licence, a Common Carrier Signal Distribution Licence.
Sentech Act was amended to provide for the possibility to transfer the State’s shares in Sentech Limited; for the use of the proceeds of such transfer; for the appointment of a specific number of executive and non-executive directors to serve on its board of directors.
Sentech introduced new services namely, My Wireless (an end user multimedia service offering over Sentech’s infrastructure), Carrier of Carrier Services (a network service provided to telecommunications licensees), VSAT Services and also launched Vivid, a satellite broadcasting service.
Following the deregulation of the telecommunications sector, Sentech was granted two additional licenses, allowing the Company to provide international voice-based telecommunications and multimedia services. These licenses were later converted into an Individual Electronic Communications Network Services (I-ECNS) and an Individual Electronic Communications Services (I-ECS), licensed in terms of the ECA.
ICASA converted Sentech’s licences such as Common Carrier Signal Distribution Licence, Multimedia Licence and its Carrier of Carriers Licence into two technology neutral licences – an Individual Electronic Communications Network Service (ECNS) Licence and an Individual Electronic Communications Service (ECS) Licence.
Sentech, in a bid to diversify from its traditional signal distribution service offering, invested all its resources, time and money into new product offerings called My wireless and BizNet services.
The My Wireless, VAS and BizNet services were discontinued as they could not compete in the retail market. Also due to the fast-changing nature of the ICT market and entry of well-funded competitors, Sentech was unable to sustain the momentum and growth of these products and services.
Successful project management of FIFA 2010 World Cup.
Eight consecutive years of clean audit.
Broke the psychological barrier by reaching the R1 billion mark in revenue.
Achieved 100% of Key Performance Indicators.
Launched the Sentech Connect, a broadband services offering.
Led the Broadcast Digital Migration project for transition from analogue transmission.
Implementing the SA Connect, a Government programme to enable a connection of 5.8 million households across South Africa. The partners include Sentech, BBI, SITA and private sector.
2025 © SENTECH All Rights Reserved. Created by HashTopic.co.za
2025 © SENTECH All Rights Reserved. Created by HashTopic.co.za
