Broadband Infraco BFM 80

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CONNECTING THE NATION

Andrew Matseke CEO, Broadband Infraco SOC.

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SOUTH AFRICAN BROADBAND INFRACO SOC STRIVES TO ENHANCE CONNECTIVITY WITHIN THE COUNTRY AS WELL AS SOUTH AFRICA’S CONNECTION WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS.

CONNECTING THE NATION PROJECT MANAGED BY: JAMES RICHARDSON

Broadband Infraco (BBI) was incorporated in 2007 as a state-owned enterprise with a mandate to expand the availability and affordability of access to electronic communications in South Africa, and became commercially operational in 2010, just after the FIFA World Cup.

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iven its form and size, the company’s role is specific - Broadband Infraco derives its distinctiveness from its founding mandate, which includes improving competition in the wholesale connectivity market; and addressing the challenges of connectivity in underdeveloped and underserviced areas that were historically neglected in terms of infrastructure.

“The company’s investments in infrastructure in the last decade have been driven by the need to fulfil this mandate,” said CEO Andrew Matseke.

“This is a role we take on with pride, which is evident in how we have implemented projects of national importance whose aim is to provide universal access to rural and underserviced communities.

This includes SA Connect, the government’s project derived from the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to deliver widespread broadband

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access to 100% of the country’s population by 2030.”

In addition to its key mandate, BBI is the provider of wholesale international capacity to institutions like the CSIR for purposes of national research; and also acts as a wholesale provider of connectivity to Mobile Network Operators (MNO) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), enabling access to wholesale products at competitive pricing. This is especially important in ensuring that mobile operators deploy connectivity cost-effectively to reach the masses of South Africa.

The company also fulfils an important role in the SADC region - it provides connectivity to all of South Africa’s neighbours which enables them, especially the landlocked countries, to connect to the Internet Exchange at the Teraco Data Centre in Johannesburg; and from there to the undersea cables that link the region to the rest of the world.

TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Mr Matseke pointed out that with its headcount of 150, BBI is a relatively small player, able to offer customised solutions and focus on specific customers who prefer a more intimate relationship with their service provider. This is a certain competitive advantage but comes at a cost.

Coming to a highly competitive market with strong, established players was not easy, and the government’s non-achievement of the plans to implement the investment originally committed did not help. Undercapitalisation has been another challenge operating in a market where fibre and basic connectivity have become commodities with pricing on a downward spiral has affected the revenue base. Last but not least, unlike its counterparts in the private sector, Broadband Infraco has legislative and regulatory requirements that make some decisions take longer to finalise.

Rather than making the company unstable, the challenges pushed BBI to be creative in finding ways to differentiate itself from

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SENTECH AN ENABLER OF 4IR TECHNOLOGIES

SENTECH, the broadcasting signal distributor has branched out into IoT and broadband solutions to help bridge the digital divide, especially in the rural and/or underserviced communities.

SENTECH Connect is a broadband service solution for the Education, Health and Local Government focusing on rural communities, where broadband connectivity access is neither available nor affordable. SENTECH Connect is fast, reliable broadband connectivity.

SENTECH also brings you the IoT solution that can be used in many applications ranging from asset monitoring and management, agriculture, water and energy management, and enables smart cities, smart municipalities, and smart villages.

• Asset monitoring and management: Attach IoT sensors to your assets and service items and start receiving automatic notifications, reminders and alerts based on the collected data.

• Agriculture: Today’s farmers are herding the power of IoT to streamline their operations. As the use of freerange livestock becomes widely adopted, connected technology can track animals as they graze in open

Learn more about our product/service offerings, get in touch: Tel: +27 (0)11 471 4400/+27 (0)86 073 6832 WhatsApp: 072 196 8368 Email: communication@sentech.co.za / support@sentech.co.za Website: www.sentech.co.za

pastures. Smart sensors can also be placed in irrigation systems to reduce water consumption, creating just the right moisture level in soil for a given crop. It’s even being used to watch over factors such as humidity and temperature in composting. Additionally, farmers can keep tabs on their equipment, mapping out where each item is, tracking its performance, and carrying out predictive maintenance. Outside of traditional farms, wine producers are using IoT devices to understand grapevine health and sugar levels in grapes.

• Water and energy management: Enhance the efficiency of water systems such as water collectors, treatment plants, distribution mains and wastewater recycling centers. Using SENTECH IoT and data solutions for companies can assist in keeping important measurements such as water pressure, temperature, flow, etc.

Through its IoT platform, SENTECH delivered live streaming services for events, such as GovTech, East London ICT Summit amongst others.

As a state-owned entity, SENTECH is leading in 4IR technology developments providing universal services for all.

SENTECH SENTECH is a South African state-owned company and leading provider of electronic communications network services to the country’s broadcasting and communications industry. SENTECH derives its mandate from legislation, particularly the SENTECH Act and the Electronic Communications’ Act (ECA). In 1992, SENTECH was corporatised as a wholly owned subsidiary of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

In 1996, 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 (TV) and radio broadcasters.

Our ownership of the largest infrastructure in the country for terrestrial signal distribution for both TV and radio enables us to offer wholesale services on an equitable, non-discriminatory and non-exclusive basis (i.e. as a common carrier).

We provide broadcast transmission services to all public broadcaster’s (SABC) radio and television stations, commercial radio and TV stations and over 150 Community Radio Stations countrywide daily. Our 180 sites enable us to provide connectivity and infra¬structure services to the retail, Telcos and Public sectors.

As holder of Individual Electronic Communications Network Services (I-ECNS) and an Individual Electronic Communications Services (I-ECS) we can provide international voice-based telecommunications and multimedia services. Our mandate it to deliver on.

The Company has expanded its footprint to clients in sub-Saharan Africa to provide broadcasting signal distributions and managed services such as Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) solutions, Digital Radio (DAB+), training and consultancy services.

SENTECH offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of broadcast and telecoms operators across the continent.

In March 2020, SENTECH successfully deployed two 5G test sites at the STP (Sender Technology Park) and the Nasrec disaster recovery site and developed a true Free-toAir (FTA) streaming service.

SENTECH has in November 2019 launched a new product offering “SENTECH Connect”.

It provides high speed broadband access, always-on internet connection for government facilities in underserviced and or rural areas in Education, Health and Local Government. The Network also enables data, voice, video and other multimedia applications for business use.

Our products offering namely Content and Multimedia, Managed Infrastructure and Connectivity services, enables us to keep our customers connected all the time anywhere through innovative solutions.

TRANSFORMATION SENTECH supports underprivileged communities, mainly in the field of education and health through its corporate social investment (CSI) Schools Connectivity Programme.

Fifty-two schools have been connected to date. The company has also established and funded a programme to provide extra Maths and Science classes to 300 learners from Grade 10 to 12.

Enterprise and supplier development also form part of SENTECH’s transformation and development mandate. Through its ESD initiatives, the company stimulates the growth of small and medium enterprises, creates jobs and provides critical ICT intensive skills for the economy. So far, SENTECH has incubated 20 SMMEs, of which 18 are potential suppliers and two are existing suppliers. SENTECH has also partnered and collaborated with three universities the University of Pretoria, University of Witwatersrand and University of Cape Town to sponsor research and bursaries for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the electrical engineering field.

The company also runs internships through the MICT SETA to assist graduates coming into the working world. They have employed 62% of the 220 students that have been part of this programme over the last 10 years. www.sentech.co.za

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the others. “Operating in a commodity market, we have managed to be entrepreneurial in our product offerings, introducing other ancillary products to supplement the revenue fall,” noted Mr Matseke.

“The acquisition of market share and the solid growth of the company are reflective of the strength of our people, a strong and resilient ‘can-do’ culture and a sound business model. Although a state-owned entity, we have always been funded by our own operations, which speaks volumes of the ‘capability’ of our people.”

These achievements would not have been possible without committed and dedicated staff.

Broadband Infraco has a core complement of employees who have the ICT skills that are required in the sector and when recruiting a new workforce, the focus is on acquiring skills that enhance what the company already has.

“THE ACQUISITION OF MARKET SHARE AND THE SOLID GROWTH OF THE COMPANY ARE REFLECTIVE OF THE STRENGTH OF OUR PEOPLE, A STRONG AND RESILIENT ‘CAN-DO’ CULTURE, AND A SOUND BUSINESS MODEL.” “We are a young company in terms of demographics with an average age of 34, operating within a dynamic organisation almost like an entrepreneurial company, with close interaction between different levels of management and employees.

That works well even in times of difficulties, such as now during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Matseke acknowledged, adding that due to the good skills foundation built over the years,

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the company has not been impacted by skills shortages.

“Our employees have a good understanding of the need to provide universal access and are aware of the importance of what BBI stands for in South Africa. We value our people and provide them with appropriate training and opportunities to contribute to matters of national interest – making input into key policy matters around ICT, country development, SADC development, BRICS development.

These keep employees motivated as the role played by them is that of serving the national duty.”

“OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED TO PROVIDE UNIVERSAL ACCESS AND ARE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT BBI STANDS FOR IN SOUTH AFRICA. 6 | BUSINESS FOCUS MAGAZINE

IN A NEW SHAPE

Building on its progressive development over the ten years of its operation, Broadband Infraco’s role is going to change in the months to come, revealed Mr Matseke.

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OS HOLDINGS

TM

Founded in 2012 we are a South African black woman owned company with extensive experience in providing technology solutions large enterprises and government institutions.

We have succeeded in implementing projects that are compliance extensive from Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) to Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) respectively. We automate supply chain processes from requisitions, contract management up to a level of Central Supplier Database (CSD) integration.

ISERVE FOR GOVERNMENT. Iserve is a Budget and Performance Reporting software application for municipalities and other state-owned entities focusing on national development planning service delivery.

The module incorporates key processes and procedures such as strategy formulation, integrated development planning (IDP), prioritisation, project planning down to department level budgeting capabilities. The budget is informed by the strategic integrated development plan (IDP) and budget capturing occurs across all the mSCOA segments which are available. And it hosts the mandatory mSCOA versions for every municipal fiscal. The Iserve is intended a browser accessed interface that is underpinned by a SQL database which integrates seamlessly with the ERP. We aspire to be the leader of technology is Africa, we have a footprint in both South Africa and Zambia.

We’re a team of licensed professionals made up of accountants, business analysts, project managers and developers. Because we’re accountants, we understand our client’s financial objectives and deploy accountants to implement and provide training on relevant systems.

We follow an Agile approach to managing projects, innovating along the journey and encourage customer collaboration throughout the process. www.osholdings.co.za

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Kunene Makopo Risk Solutions KMRS was founded in 2006 to participate in all spheres of Insurance and Risk Management.

KMRS has a unique footing in the market due to its multiple licenses in Short Term, Long Term insurance & Medical Aid. 1.

• • • • • • • • •

Short-term insurance Commercial lines Personal lines Public liability Professional indemnity Taxi insurance Legal and tax cover Performance guarantee Film Insurance Film Completion Bonds

3. Re-Insurance

2. Long-term Insurance • Group funeral schemes • Personal funeral benefit • Life cover/bond cover • Retirement planning • Education policies • Buy and sell agreements • Key man cover • Credit life insurance • Group life cover 4. Product development

We have developed relationships with specialized underwriters and insurance houses, allowing us to develop client-focused products from scratch.

KUNENE MAKOPO RISK SOLUTIONS, Johannesburg T | +27 (0) 11 900 1346 F | +27 (0) 86 514 2212 E: info@kunenemakopo.com www.kunenemakopo.com

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“Under the governmental plan, within the next 12 to 24 months Broadband Infraco is going to be merged with Sentech, a distributor of broadcasting signal in South Africa, to create a State Digital Infrastructure Company. We are already in the mode of planning for that future company which will be the foundation of the digital infrastructure that South Africa will need to be able to participate meaningfully in the 4th industrial revolution.”

The BBI/Sentech merger is seen as a positive move for both the public sector and for customers, enabling efficiencies in how to engage the market as well as an end-to-end product offering to the customer. It is also expected to optimise government assets and remove bureaucracies.

The second priority for the future, as highlighted by Mr

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Matseke, is to have a full IP network that will cover the whole country including the underserviced areas that are part of the scope of the SA Connect project.

“In implementing SA Connect the company has developed the relationships with small internet service providers operating in rural areas who have become a very important growth market for us. This has been a positive step as we have managed to empower a number of SMMEs (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises) which we have seen develop and sustain themselves over time.”

Full completion of SA Connect is another major task in which BBI will be actively participating.

Challenging as the future may seem, the company has demonstrated that it is in sound shape to achieve its objectives.

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