THE BUSINESS OF CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE WORLD

The need for human relations is a story as old as time. Access to information is at the core of the knowledge economy. Both are all about access and in today’s global community, access is through connectivity.

SENTECH is in the business of meeting the human need of connecting to the world.

This state-owned company is the premier provider of electronic communications network services in the broadcasting and communications industry. It is the largest signal distribution company in Africa and the largest teleport in the SADC region.

SENTECH provides radio and television broadcast signal distribution services to public, commercial and community broadcasters with over 130 radio stations on-air on a daily basis, this includes all SABC stations, eTV and M-Net. It has more than 270 sites throughout South Africa, providing audio-visual signals for more than 11.4 million homes through its broadcasting network. Its infrastructure and data communications platforms also provide services to South Africa’s telecommunication sector and mobile providers.

SENTECH is also focussing on developing and rolling out open-access platforms that will enrich the SADC region’s digital content distribution industry and ensure access to rich digital content, anywhere, anytime on any device.

SENTECH operates in an environment where the only certainty is change and it occurs at a rapid pace in telecommunications. With the rapid development and evolution of the ICT environment, SENTECH is constantly re-configuring itself and adapting with agility to meet customer demand. “Customer-centricity is not a buzz-word at SENTECH, it is the SENTECH-way, our way of life”, says Mlamli Booi, SENTECH’s CEO.

Leadership

Mlamli leads a visionary and vibrant executive team, determined to ensure that SENTECH remains a contender in the broadcast technology environment. This leadership

team has been at the core of SENTECH’s ability to consistently remain a profit generating SoC and receive a clean audit for five consecutive years.

Mlamli was appointed at the helm of SENTECH on 15th October 2015, but is an experienced hand in the South African broadcasting landscape. In 1997, he was appointed by the late President Nelson Mandela onto the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority) Council, to adjudicate the first free to air television license in South Africa. He was also involved in licensing commercial and community radio stations.

Mlamli has held several advisory roles including advising the SA government on telecommunication policy, the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) on business process outsourcing (BPO) and call centre market, JP Morgan on the telecommunications landscape and business model, developing a licensing policy and universal access policy for the SADC region.

Focusing on customer needs

As a technology company leading in the ICT infrastructure services market, SENTECH provides quality solutions, tailored to meet the needs of the South African market.

SENTECH’s annual customer satisfaction survey ensures that the company knows the demands that its customers face and is able to source solutions.

SENTECH provides services in:

• Content delivery via terrestrial wireless and satellite distribution (analogue and digital television and radio)

• Wireless broadband services using terrestrial and satellite services

• Professional services – consulting: SENTECH’s Consulting Services include network planning, coverage planning, spectrum planning and demographic analysis

• Connectivity services – broadband connectivity provides secure and affordable access for all citizens to education, health and other government services and stimulates economic development. SENTECH’s Connectivity Services focus on the development of platforms for wireless broadband.

• Managed Infrastructure Services

- Facilities leasing SENTECH Facilities Leasing offer a wide range of products and services for various communication services in South Africa. Its infrastructure is in a unique position to provide customers with the best population coverage.

- Third party facilities management SENTECH has the capacity to proactively manage ICT (Information and Communications Technology) assets on behalf of its facilities leasing customers. The company offers scheduled preventative maintenance and support to the customer’s equipment.

Socio-economic transformation

SENTECH recognises SMME sustainability as a key economic driver. As such, much focus has been given to the sustainable development of SMMEs and transformation is one of the key pillars of SENTECH’s strategy. The company has become a catalyst in the creation of competitive SMMES to advance to world class black-owned companies, especially in the technology and ICT arena.

SENTECH began an enterprise and supplier development journey in 2015, to contribute to the growth of small businesses in South Africa. Over 800 entrepreneurs applied to join the programme which was rolled out in two phases, with the first focusing on supplier development and the second on enterprise development. The challenge posed to the entrepreneurs was to build sustainable, profitable businesses that could, ultimately, supply goods and services to SENTECH and the sector.

The SMMEs are sustainable and more focused than they were before commencing the programme. This is evident in growth in the jobs created by some of the SMMEs as well as business expansion. SENTECH continues to provide advisory and mentorship roles for the SMMES on a demand basis.