Sentech

‘We have the technical skills to ensure the migration takes place,’ says minister of communications and digital technologies

The government plans to merge several state-owned companies to form one broadband firm to fast-track internet access in the country

The ANC has proposed to merge certain state entities in order to improve access to modern communication tools and services.

The government’s ineptitude has raised the question of whether the country will be able to successfully migrate from analogue to digital tv.

Communications Minister Roy Padayachie has said all broadcasters should contribute to the funding of the country’s digital TV migration.

Sentech is ignoring previous failings and will once again play in the wireless broadband space at the taxpayer’s expense.

Icasa told Siphiwe Nyanda that it does not consider it viable to abolish licence fees and fund the SABC using personal income tax.

An SADC task team will report their findings about which digital terrestrial television broadcasting standard the region should adopt on November 22.

Documents show that the communications authority knew as early as 2007 about the ‘illegal’ Sentech spectrum deal, but did not act.

Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda said a task team appointed by him in July 2009 had identified "anomalies" at state-owned Sentech.

Ambassador to Germany and Telkom chairperson have been fingered in ‘illegal’ deal.

The salaries of state-owned enterprise board members, like the SABC, is to be reviewed, Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda has said.

The beleaguered parastatal is expected to post a loss for the 2009/10 financial year of between R123-million and R214-million.

The Democratic Alliance wants Barbara Hogan and Siphiwe Nyanda to explain whether Sentech is operating outside its mandate.

There’s welcome action around subscription TV. But as regards terrestrial digital television, don’t hold your breath.