The proposal, discussed by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, includes planned investment of US$21 million.

Under Timor-Leste law to issue a telecommunication license a public tender needs to take place.

In a government statement Cesalink said it aimed to provide “quality, affordable and cheap telecommunications service with modern and efficient technology.”

It also said it would “guarantee high speed internet, quality communications in all areas of the country.”

The Ceslink consortium consists of computer technology company Ceslink and the Oka-D'tel consortium.

According to Lusa news, the main investor in the project is the Timorese businessman Salvador Henrique Mauhoka, considered one of the wealthiest businessmen in Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste is currently serviced by three telecommunication operators; Timor Telecom (in which the state itself is a shareholder) and Indonesia’s Telkomcel and Vietnam’s Telemor.