Intelsat expands capacity deal with SA’s Sentech
March 22, 2017
By Chris Forrester
Sentech is the South African broadcasting signal distribution business. Intelsat said March 21st that it had signed an expanded and extended contract with Sentech to “bolster delivery of media services in sub-Saharan Africa”.
Sentech has been leveraging Ku-band services from Intelsat 20, located at 68.5˚ East, for decades to cost-effectively deliver DTH and DTT services in South Africa. Sentech, which reaches 8.5 million TV households, and has contracted additional services on Intelsat 20.
“As a world class signal distributor and communications provider, Sentech is always exploring avenues and pursuing relationships that will ensure quality broadcast services for South Africa” said Mlamli Booi, CEO of Sentech, said. “The contracting of these additional services with Intelsat will allow Sentech to expand quality media services to the rest of the African continent.”
“Intelsat will continue to support Sentech in its efforts to be the leading distributor of content in Africa,” said Brian Jakins, Intelsat’s VP/Africa. “Satellite remains the best means for African broadcasters to reach the widest possible audience, and this agreement will enable Sentech to continue connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa.”
The news help propel Intelsat’s share price up 4.5 per cent in early trading on March 21st to $4.45 on the NYSE.