CORPORATE PROFILE
ABOUT SENTECH SENTECH is South Africa s premier provider of electronic communications network services in the broadcasting and communications industry. SENTECH was established as a technical division of the SABC, responsible for the corporation s signal distribution services. In 1992, the division was corporatised as SENTECH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the corporation. In 1996, the 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 Company is wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Shareholder Representative is the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services. SENTECH provides broadcast transmission services to SABC s radio and television stations, etv, MNet, and over 150 community radio stations country- wide. Its infrastructure and data communications platforms also provide services to South Africa s telecommunication sector and mobile providers.
OUR VISION To be a global enabler of broadcasting and digital content delivery. OUR MISSION To enable our customers to reach their audiences anywhere through innovation. OUR VALUES Integrity: We act ethically with honesty, fairness and openness; Quality Customer Service: We are committed to proactively ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and building a relationship based on trust; Innovation: We endeavor to develop and support creativity and responsible risk-taking; Accountability: We deliver on our promises and take responsibility for our actions; and Social Responsibility: We endeavor to fulfill our mandate in a manner that benefits our employees, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment in all the areas that the Company operates in.
SENTECH SITES
CEO S MESSAGE We are a technology company, always aspiring to see beyond the horizon, remaining at the cutting edge of technology and being leaders in the ICT infrastructure services market. The strength of our company lies on the commitment of our teams at all levels. We are dedicated to putting organizational health as a priority towards developing a culture that is responsive to the needs of our customers and strengthen relationships with all stakeholders. We operate in an environment where the only certainty is change and it occurs at a rapid pace in ICT. With the rapid development and evolution of the ICT environment and technologies, SENTECH is re-configuring itself and adapting its culture to be more agile in order to meet customer demand. Customer-centricity is not a buzz-word at SENTECH, it is the new SENTECH-way, a lifestyle. We have committed to providing the country with world class and quality solutions; we are working hard towards living up to that commitment. As a state-owned company, we pride ourselves with ensuring that we deliver not only on our commercial mandate but also support and drive the developmental mandate of the shareholder using ICTs. Transformation is one of our key strategic pillars, we particularly pride ourselves on the impact we have made in the education and the enterprise development areas. Our strategy focusses on stimulating ICT SMME growth in South Africa, providing opportunities where potential exists. Corporate governance is pivotal to the success of any company, but for a state-owned-company, it is an obligation to the citizens of the country to ensure we serve them with integrity. For example, SENTECH has maintained five consecutive clean audits over five years and we look forward to staying on track on this achievement. SENTECH exist to deliver content by connecting people with the world through innovation hence our brand promise is still Connecting You Mlamli Booi Chief Executive SENTECH
OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICE OFFERINGS BTV SENTECH s Business Television (BTV) brings the power of this dynamic medium to boardrooms, offices, shops and anywhere else it is needed around the country and around the world. Business Television provides costeffective communications solutions that deliver real time communications on a national scale. Business Television offers a secure medium of communication and broadcasts. This is based on a process of ensuring only conditional access to designated decoders. Business Television is easily available and can be used to communicate at short notice. DTH SENTECH s Direct-to-Home (DTH) Satellite platform is a universal open access interoperable platform that is designed to provide broadcasters and content aggregators rapid deployment of a universal accessible satellite broadcast platform. The platform has contributed hugely to the emerging redefinition of the country s Digital Multi-Channel television broadcasting industry. It aims to contribute to the future growth of the Content Industry in general and the Free To Air (FTA) Broadcasting and emerging Subscription Broadcasting Industries. SENTECH s DTH platform offers broadcasters a flexibility, affordable and easily deployable direct to home television platform. TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTING Television is still one of the nation s favorite past times, part of the fabric of our society. SENTECH owns a main site network for the broadcast and delivery of radio and television content in South Africa. More than 270 sites throughout South Africa provide audio-visual content for more than 11.4 million homes through its broadcasting network. Terrestrial television faces competition from emerging IP (streaming) based platforms, where content to the consumer plays an important role. However, SENTECH s terrestrial network covers 98% of the population and is in a unique position to provide customer specific distribution requirements. It is for this reason that SENTECH is investing in value added services that would complement its current terrestrial services. DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TV (DTT) SENTECH is in the process of migrating its analogue television network to a digital terrestrial television network. The benefits of migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting include higher video and audio quality; greater spectrum efficiency; more programme channels, information services and the potential for special interactive services (e.g. e-government delivery). SENTECH is in the process of migrating its analogue television network to a digital terrestrial television network. The benefits of migrating from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting include higher video and audio quality; greater spectrum efficiency; more programme channels, information services and the potential for special interactive services (e.g. e-government delivery). FM SERVICES SENTECH s FM broadcasting platform is a terrestrial method of radio broadcasting using frequency modulation band which falls within the VHF usually 87.5 to 108.0 MHz. The platform provides customers with high quality free-to-air audio sound distribution from the customer studios through our high sites transmission infrastructure within the boundaries of SA. Transmission power configurations and coverage vary from 1 Watt (W) to 20 kilowatt (kw). Services can be provided to public, commercial and community broadcasters. MW SERVICES SENTECH MW broadcasting platform is a terrestrial method of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation (AM) band. The platform provides customers with larger coverage and high quality free-to-air audio sound distribution from the customer studios through our high sites transmission infrastructure within the boundaries of South Africa (SA). This platform s transmission power configurations and coverage vary from 1 kilowatt (kw) to 100 kilowatt (kw). Services can be provided to public, commercial and community broadcasters. The product enables open access platform with larger coverage for broadcasters to transmit audio content and sound information services to a broader spectrum of radio listenership within the boundaries of SA.
SHORT WAVE (SW) SERVICES SENTECH s SW platform is a method of terrestrial sound broadcasting within and beyond the boundaries of SA. The platform provides customers with readily available cross country free-to-air audio sound distribution from the SENTECH Meyerton site. Transmission power configurations and coverage vary from 100 kilowatt (kw) to 250 kilowatt (kw). The product enables a readily available cross country freeto-air platform for audio content distribution to a broader spectrum of listeners beyond the boundaries of SA. FACILITIES LEASING SENTECH offers leasing of facilities on more than 194 of its transmitter high sites for various communication services. SENTECH also offers hosting of in-building equipment and storage services for its customers. SENTECH Facilities leasing offer a wide range of products and services for various communication services in South Africa. The products and services are reliable and costeffective. SENTECH s infrastructure is in a unique position to provide customers with the best population coverage. MANAGED INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Managed Services is the proactive management of an ICT assets or objects by a third party, on behalf of a customer. Most of SENTECH s customers own a network of some sort, including among others networks for the provision of telecommunications; broadband connectivity; and fleet tracking services. With its vast experience in managing different types of networks, from broadcasting to telecommunications, SENTECH has built a strong capability in network design, deployment, operation and maintenance. These skills and technical capabilities are the ideal foundation to offer network infrastructure management services to other similar networks owners. This would extend SENTECH s portfolio of services to include Managed Infrastructure Services.
Training includes all elements of the signal distribution chain, from basic FM and TV courses to more advanced measurement techniques. The training is provided locally and internationally. Training is conducted on all material as prepared by SENTECH s school of technology. These courses include fundamental subjects such as basic FM and TV courses to more advance subjects such as advance measuring techniques. The courses are structured as introductory, basic, intermediate and advanced. Courses are presented in South Africa as well as in foreign countries. CONSULTANCY SERVICES Consulting services forms part of the product offering including technical investigations for interference problems, technical evaluations on transmission equipment and consulting new broadcasters on transmission infrastructure establishment and planning. Consulting is classified into four different offerings: a. Installation, maintenance and accompaniment form the basis offering and is the most cost-effective offering. This service is offered locally and internationally. b. Technical consulting includes items such as technical audits, systems design and development. This service is offered locally as well as in foreign countries. c. Professional consulting services include all consulting work done by registered professionals and include elements such as mast design, transmitter design and electrical reticulation. d. Planning services: Planning elements include frequency spectrum analyses and planning, coverage predictions for FM, MW and TV spectrums and path analyses for STL and RBR feed. Planning can also facilitate demographic analysis to determine actual population coverage within the broadcaster s target area. CONNECTIVITY SERVICES Broadband connectivity provides secure and affordable access for all citizens to education, health and other government services and stimulates economic development. SENTECH Connectivity Services focuses on the development of platforms for wireless broadband such as: Smart City Services The Internet of things (IoT), and Public safety initiatives, SMART CITY SERVICES SENTECH s focus on Smart City Services is around providing communication channels, broadcasting content and other media platforms for municipalities to improve services to their customers. These solutions will make use of various networks ranging from broadband to ultra-narrow band. INTERNET OF THINGS (IoT) The IoT makes it simple and affordable to engage with the World Wide Web via connectivity embedded in everyday things. PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES SENTECH exploits its expertise in operating transmission networks and explores opportunities to assist municipalities, law enforcement and emergency medical service providers in operating their communication networks. e.g. tetra networks, two-way radio networks and signaling networks. Connectivity services are applicable to all different sectors across South Africa including Telecommunications Organisations, Governmental Institutions, Educational Institutions, Health Sector and Corporate Companies.
TRANSFORMATION SENTECH s Socio Economic and Enterprise Development program continues to deliver on its objective to aid businesses to be sustainable, create jobs, empower the previously disadvantaged communities and increasing SMME competitiveness.
A key pillar of SENTECH s strategy is the creation of competitive SMMES to advance to world class blackowned companies. This requires strong partnerships and commitment in creating sustainable enterprises by continuously building the capacity of Black suppliers through Enterprise and Supplier Development Initiatives such as training, early payment cycle, incubation programme and limited financial support. ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT (ESD) Enterprise and supplier development forms part of SENTECH s transformation and development mandate. Through its ESD initiatives, the company stimulates the growth of small and medium enterprises, create jobs and provides critical ICT intensive skills for the economy. From 2015 to date, SENTECH has incubated 20 SMMEs, of which 18 are potential suppliers and 2 are existing suppliers. The programme creates an environment in which entrepreneurs can develop the entrepreneurial competencies required to grow profitable and sustainable businesses. The SMMEs have been groomed, are now sustainable and more focused than they were before commencing the programme. SENTECH continues to provide advisory and mentorship role for the SMMES on a demand basis. Early payment cycles favorable to SMMEs is one of SENTECH s initiatives to support healthy cashflows for its SMMEs. SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (SED) SENTECH provides Bandwidth for a Learn Channel to Government Schools in country. Our contribution is in pursuance of the mandate to uplift the underdeveloped and under- resourced communities through education. More than 75% of the beneficiaries that benefit from SENTECH s contribution are previously disadvantaged communities. CORPORATE SOCIAL INVESTMENT (CSI) SENTECH supports underprivileged communities, mainly in Education, through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Schools Connectivity Programme. Fifty-two (52) schools have been connected to date. SENTECH has established and funded a programme for Maths and Science extra classes to 300 learners from grade 10 to 12 in order to increase the pool of learners that want to follow the Sciences. This programme is located to support the learners from Mabopane, Tswaing and the Winterveld areas. GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME SENTECH has partnered and collaborated with three universities (University of Pretoria, University of Witwatersrand and University of Cape Town) to sponsor research and bursaries for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering field. To enhance graduate skills levels and ensure a smooth and effective transition between university and the business environment, there is a need to increase opportunities for students to acquire relevant work experience during their studies. To this end, the sponsored students have an opportunity to work at SENTECH during their vacation time. INTERNSHIPS In addition to the graduate programme, SENTECH offers an internship programme aimed at providing workplace exposure and experience through skills transfer in different occupations within the organisation to degree and diploma graduates. The programme offers proficient training opportunities in the following disciplines: Engineering Information Technology Marketing and Sales Corporate Affairs and Communication Finance Human Resources Risk and Compliance Management Regulatory Governance
CONTACT DETAILS HEAD OFFICE Sender Technology Park (STP) Octave Street Honeydew 2040 POSTAL ADDRESS Private Bag X06 Honeydew 2040 CONTACT NUMBER Telephone: 011 471 4400 Call Centre: 0860736832 International: +27 11 471 4595 Fax: 011 246 2610 Email: support@sentech.co.za Website: www.sentech.co.za