Timor Leste (East Timor) Telecoms Market Report

Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

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Last updated: 21 Jul 2026 Update History

Report Status: Current

Report Pages: 119

Timor-Leste secures its first international submarine cable link

In recent years, Timor-Leste has made great strides in its digital transformation efforts. Central to its project is the Timor Digital 2032 program, aimed at developing digital services and the ICT sector and delivering a range of digital services covering government, health, and education. This is supported by the National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 as well as the Digital Transformation Strategy 2026-2036, which presents a roadmap focused on establishing resilient fibre infrastructure and laying down regulatory frameworks to manage emerging tech and implement a range of programs to bridge the digital divide, especially in rural areas.

Fixed-line and fixed broadband penetration in Timor-Leste remains extremely low, mainly due to the limited fixed-line infrastructure. Timor Telecom is building a national terrestrial fibre network to boost fixed broadband subscriber growth. While this is ongoing, the government is connecting government offices, schools and health centres with Starlink terminals.

Timor-Leste has three telcos - Timor Telecom, Telkomcel and Telemor - which jointly provide 98% national coverage with their mobile infrastructure. All three have launched LTE services, which greatly increased mobile broadband penetration. Telemor launched 5G services in Dili in late 2025.

The capacity of telecom services was significantly enhanced following the country’s connection to the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable that links to Australia via the North Western Cable System (NWCS) and provides ongoing connectivity to the global internet. Two other cable systems under construction will further transform Timor-Leste’s telecom landscape when they become ready for service in 2027.

Key developments:

  • Starlink’s satellite internet supports rural and remote internet connectivity.
  • Timor-Leste joins the ASEAN group of countries and secures assistance in developing its digital transformation goals.
  • Government sets up the Digital Transformation Strategy 2026-2036 to focus on establishing resilient fibre infrastructure.
  • Timor Digital 2032 develops a roadmap for digital services and the ICT sector.
  • Timor-Leste to benefit from connectivity to the Hawaiki Nui 1 submarine cable, providing additional connectivity to a major Asia-Pacific corridor.
  • Telemor launches 5G services in Dili.
  • Report update includes ITU data updates, the regulator’s market data updates, telcos' financial and operating data, and recent market developments.

Companies covered in this report include:

Timor Telecom, Telkomcel, Telemor, Kacific Broadband Satellites, Viettel, Portugal Telecom, Ceslink, Vocus, Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin)

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