Sentech CEO Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane says the wireless communications company should spend about R1 billion more on the roll out of its MyWireless network over the next couple of years.
Mokone-Matabane spoke to ITWeb after the launch of the MyWireless service in Cape Town yesterday.
"Since Sentech received its multimedia license 18 months ago, we have spent about R800 million, of which a substantial amount was on intellectual capital," she says.
Finding its voice-over-IP
While Sentech continues to capitalise on its market leadership position in that it effectively provides a legal opposition to Telkom in the data services arena, it is hoping that sooner or later it will be able to add voice to its service offerings. The technology of choice will be voice-over-Internet Protocol.
We are probably the only multimedia licence holder in the world who is allowed to supply audio and data services, but no voice.
Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane, CEO, Sentech
"It is ridiculous that at the moment we are probably the only multimedia licence holder in the world who is allowed to supply audio and data services, but no voice, because of the current constraints," Mokone-Matabane says.
Currently Sentech has little or no competition in the wireless broadband market. However, there is a feeling that the window of opportunity may not last long. This is why there is a sense of urgency about the current roll-out.
"We agree with government`s policy that the telecoms market should be liberalised in a managed way. But we want proper management that will allow us to offer the full range of services to our customers. The technology is there are we need to use it," Mokone-Matabane says.
Going private
Privatisation is another issue on Sentech`s 'menu of issues`. President Thabo Mbeki made the comment in his latest State of the Nation address that an answer on what state-owned enterprises will be earmarked for sale will happen in September.
Mokone-Matabane says that Sentech could easily be one of those enterprises.
"My sense is that government will want to retain some kind of equity stake in Sentech because it has earmarked it as a strategic asset," she says.
There are other complications to privatisation such as the trade unions and the environment within which a company operates.
"When a potential bidder completes a due diligence on a company, it includes external factors as well and currently there is too much uncertainty about our legislative process that is affecting the South African telecommunications market," Mokone-Matabane says.
Technology upliftment
Alleviating poverty is the cornerstone of the government policy and Mokone-Matabane feels that while there is an understanding about the importance of telecommunications and technology, not enough is being done to unlock the true potential.
Mokone-Matabane feels that placing a Sentech MyWireless transmitter in a previously disadvantaged area, such as Cape Town`s Khayalitsha informal settlement, would be viable if one or more government departments would have use for its data transmitting services.
"All levels of government must come to the party. For instance, if the Department of Health feels it is necessary for a clinic in one of these areas to have secure and reliable data services, then the funding will be found and the people living will enjoy the benefits of wireless connectivity," she says.