Timor-Leste Activates its First International Submarine Cable

Timor-Leste has officially commenced commercial operation of its first international submarine fiber-optic cable system, the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable System (TLSSC). This 607-kilometer cable connects the country directly to Australia's North West Cable System (NWCS), providing a vital digital artery for Timor-Leste. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão inaugurated the commercial operation of Cabos de Timor-Leste (CTL), E.P., during a ceremony in Dili on July 28, 2026. This project, first envisioned in 2014 by the Fifth Constitutional Government, aims to break Timor-Leste's reliance on expensive satellite internet. Before the TLSSC, the country's international connectivity was heavily dependent on satellite links, which offered limited bandwidth at high cost. The new cable system is expected to significantly reduce reliance on satellite internet by offering faster, more reliable, and more affordable international internet services. The TLSSC has a total capacity of 27 terabits per second (Tbps), with 13.5 Tbps allocated to Timor-Leste, representing a monumental leap from the country's current peak internet traffic of around 40 gigabits per second (Gbps). Funding for the TLSSC project comes primarily from the Timor-Leste Government, with significant support from Australia through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). The AIFFP provided a grant of AUD 7.2 million for advisory support and a loan of AUD 25.7 million for cable construction. The project includes seven repeaters and a dedicated Greater Sunrise Branch Unit, and was constructed by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) of France, with Vocus (owner of NWCS) as the Australian partner. The cable landed in Timor-Leste in June 2024 and underwent extensive testing before commercial service began. The TLSSC is expected to expand digital education resources, telemedicine services, and online government services. It will also support businesses, farmers, and cooperatives through better internet connectivity, helping to diversify the economy beyond petroleum by fostering growth in information technology, software development, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and digital services. Minister Miguel Manetelu noted that the government began using the cable in 2025 to provide internet to ministries and public institutions, while telecommunications operators Timor Telecom, Telkomcel, and Telemor started connecting earlier this year. Prime Minister Gusmão announced plans to expand international connectivity beyond Australia by establishing links with Indonesia and other regional networks to improve capacity and resilience. The project aligns with Timor-Leste's ASEAN membership and its Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030, which identifies telecommunications infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic growth. The TLSSC marks a transformative moment for Timor-Leste, bridging its digital divide and opening new opportunities for economic development and regional integration.