Díli, Jan. 30, 2025 (Lusa) - Timor-Leste's minister of transport and communications, Miguel Gonçalves Manetelu, announced on Thursday that the government and the Australian company Vocus are already carrying out tests on the fibre optic cable installed between the two countries.
"During this month, a technical team from Timor-Leste, together with technicians from the company Vocus, have been testing the fibre optic," the minister told Lusa, pointing out that there have been some cuts in the cable between Portland and Darwin.
The minister, who was speaking at the end of the Cabinet meeting, explained that the cuts have already been resolved and that the technical teams from both sides are continuing with the tests so that "fibre optics can soon be available to the public in Timor-Leste".
Miguel Manetelu also said that, as part of the preparation for the implementation of the project, his ministry will present a decree-law to the Cabinet for the creation of a state-owned company responsible for managing the fibre optics, once all the tests have been completed.
The minister explained that he intends to create a public company to manage the internet, not with the aim of competing with market operators, but to manage, distribute and supply the service to the operators present in the country.
In June last year, the Timorese government launched the ‘Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable’ fibre optic cable, which is already connected to Darwin, Australia, beginning the ‘digital transformation’ of the country, where the internet is an expensive and slow service.
According to the Timorese authorities, the fibre optic cable will "boost the telecommunications sector" and stimulate economic growth.
Government figures indicate that the cable, 607 kilometres long and connected to the North West Cable System, will have the capacity to transfer data at 27 terabits per second between the two countries.
The cable also includes seven repeaters and a branch unit dedicated to Greater Sunrise.
Vocus, an Australian company specialising in fibre optic cables, will also be responsible for maintaining the cable for 17 years, and the government signed a service agreement worth US$14 million (around €13.4 million) last December.
DPYF/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
