SENTECH'S SUBMISSION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON
PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT: PROPERTY RATES BILL

5 AUGUST 2003

Sentech is a company wholly owned by the state. The company is accountable to the Department of Communications.

Sentech holds several licenses, including a broadcasting signal distribution licence and is the common carrier for broadcasting signal distribution in South Africa. In terms of this particular licence Sentech owns and operates a national broadcasting transmission network infrastructure. This infrastructure comprises primarily transmission stations, towers and masts.

Sentech also holds two telecommunications licences, namely a Multimedia Licence and a Carrier-of-Carrier Licence.

Sentech proposes that the definition "public service infrastructure" as contained in Chapter 1 of the Bill, point "f" be amended as follows"

(f) telecommunications and broadcasting transmission towers, masts, or lines, and transmission stations forming part of a signal distribution or a telecommunications system serving the public across a municipal boundary.