Dili, May 6, 2026 (Lusa) - Timor-Leste's transport and communications ministry will provide internet to 450 suco (administrative village clusters) headquarters nationwide to bridge the digital divide, the government said on Wednesday.

Transport and Communications Minister Miguel Manetelu and national telecommunications company Vorakai Lda signed an agreement to provide access through Starlink antennas.

The agreement is part of a programme to improve internet access in "rural areas and reduce the digital divide between urban centres and rural areas," the government said on its official website.

"The initiative aims to facilitate high-quality internet access and support the more efficient functioning of local administration", and ensure links to integrated government systems, including the Suco and Village Integrated Management System, it said.

"These connections are temporary. In 2026, the national directorate of infrastructure and communications will start installing a 1,500-kilometre fibre optic network to link municipal capitals to administrative posts," the government said.

The fibre-optic network will also connect public schools, clinics, health centres, and suco headquarters.

The government will deactivate the Starlink antennas once the fibre optic connection is complete.

Timor-Leste's government completed the connection to the North West Cable System in 2025, which can transfer 27 terabits of data per second between Australia and the country.

MSE/LYT // ADB.

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