Submarine cable installed in East Timor

The Timorese government has already invested 43 million dollars (around 38 million euros) in the digital transformation in Timor-Leste, which began with the installation of the submarine fiber optic cable.

“The submarine cable is an important key piece for the digital transformation in Timor-Leste,” said Pio Soares Tilman, head of monitoring and oversight at the National Communications Authority (ANC), responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector.

The official was speaking at the 2025 Dialogue Forum, organized by the Press Council and dedicated to the theme “Artificial Intelligence, Media and Digital Democracy”, held in Dili.

“The total budget for the implementation of the submarine fiber optic cable is 43 million dollars. The Government is directly responsible for this infrastructure,” said Pio Soares Tilman.

In June 2024, the Timorese government began installing a submarine fiber optic cable to Darwin, Australia, which is 607 kilometers long and has the capacity to transfer data at 27 terabits per second between the two countries.

“Recently, on May 7, Timor-Leste received provisional acceptance from the company Alcatel Submarine Network (ASN), which allows us to accelerate the development of the next phase within the national territory,” he said, ensuring that internal development will begin this year.

Pio Soares also explained that the price of the internet is being discussed and will only be announced publicly when all aspects are properly defined.

According to Tilman, the NCA will establish regulations to ensure free, fair and non-discriminatory access by ISPs (internet service providers) and other telecommunications operators, preventing monopolistic control by a single operator.

The ANC also assured that the benefits of the new cable will reach the entire population, especially in rural areas.