Letter in BusinessDay by Marcel Raath from Sentech:
"The article, Still beating around the telecoms bush (May 29) by Lesley Stones, refers.
I would like to draw your attention to certain issues where I may have been misunderstood.
Sentech welcomes the news by Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri in the National Assembly during her department's budget debate. Sentech as a strategic national asset with important infrastructure and expertise would form the core of the wireless broadband infrastructure network to be used in enhancing SA’s socioeconomic development. Sentech has a mandate from the communications department to deliver efficient and affordable telecommunications to bridge SA’s digital divide. This is in alignment with the corporate vision to become a leader in world-class broadband communications.
It is in this light that government decided to invest in wireless broadband networks as they are less costly to roll out than fixed lines, especially to remote and rural areas.
There are three aspects with regards to voice that we will clarify once more information has been obtained. They are:
1 Offering voice via the carrier-of carrier licence to local and international telecom operators.
2 Voice to be carried to the end user via the multimedia licence without current limitations to Sentech.
3. Voice/ Voice Operated Internet Protocol through our Value Added Network Services licence.
As part of our strategy, we recognise the significance of telecommunications in socioeconomic development and to this end have embarked on a number of projects across markets. We believe in a hands-on approach that involves far more than financial support. We commit to our projects by providing skills and resources to communities to ensure outcomes that are measurable as well as sustainable."
"The article, Still beating around the telecoms bush (May 29) by Lesley Stones, refers.
I would like to draw your attention to certain issues where I may have been misunderstood.
Sentech welcomes the news by Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri in the National Assembly during her department's budget debate. Sentech as a strategic national asset with important infrastructure and expertise would form the core of the wireless broadband infrastructure network to be used in enhancing SA’s socioeconomic development. Sentech has a mandate from the communications department to deliver efficient and affordable telecommunications to bridge SA’s digital divide. This is in alignment with the corporate vision to become a leader in world-class broadband communications.
It is in this light that government decided to invest in wireless broadband networks as they are less costly to roll out than fixed lines, especially to remote and rural areas.
There are three aspects with regards to voice that we will clarify once more information has been obtained. They are:
1 Offering voice via the carrier-of carrier licence to local and international telecom operators.
2 Voice to be carried to the end user via the multimedia licence without current limitations to Sentech.
3. Voice/ Voice Operated Internet Protocol through our Value Added Network Services licence.
As part of our strategy, we recognise the significance of telecommunications in socioeconomic development and to this end have embarked on a number of projects across markets. We believe in a hands-on approach that involves far more than financial support. We commit to our projects by providing skills and resources to communities to ensure outcomes that are measurable as well as sustainable."
