Our History

The South African Broadcasting Corporation managed its own 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.

Amendments to the SENTECH Act allowed for the potential transfer of the State’s shares in SENTECH Limited, specifying the use of proceeds from such transfers and the appointment of a specific number of executive and non-executive directors to its board.

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 invested significantly in new product offerings, including My Wireless and BizNet services, as part of its strategy to diversify from traditional signal distribution services.

Due to challenges in the retail market and increasing competition, Sentech discontinued services such as My Wireless, VAS, and BizNet.

Sentech successfully managed the FIFA 2010 World Cup project.

For eight consecutive years, Sentech achieved clean audits, reflecting its commitment to financial accountability and transparency.

Sentech surpassed the R1 billion revenue mark, signalling significant growth and financial success.

Sentech achieved 100% of its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in both 2017 and 2020, demonstrating operational excellence and efficiency.

Sentech launched Sentech Connect, a broadband services offering, expanding its service portfolio to meet evolving market demands.

Led the Broadcast Digital Migration project for the transition from analogue transmission

Sentech commenced the implementation of SA Connect, a government initiative aimed at connecting 5.8 million households across South Africa. Partnerships with entities such as BBI, SITA, and the private sector were forged to achieve this ambitious goal.

Sentech remains integral in broadcasting, serving as the signal distributor for public, community, and commercial broadcasters. With a network of 340 towers and masts leased to major mobile network operators, Sentech maintains a national footprint. The company continues to expand its digital infrastructure services, including data centres, OTT, and broadband offerings, to meet the evolving needs of the market.