Dili is aiming to improve patchy communications across the nation by connecting to  North-West Cable System, owned by Australia’s Vocus Group.

The cable link, due to be completed this year, passes 607 kilometres across Timor Sea from Australia’s northern coast from city of Darwin to Dili.

The new infrastructure will significantly reduce latency and increase internet speed, heralding a new era of digital transformation for the country, said Miguel Marques Goncalves Manetelu, Minister of Transport and Communication of Timor-Leste.

"Today, we celebrate a monumental achievement that will propel Timor-Leste into a new age of connectivity. The TLSSC (Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable System) is more than just a cable; it is a lifeline that will bridge our nation with the world, providing unprecedented opportunities for growth, innovation, and development,” he said.

A separate French owned company, a global leader in submarine technology Alcatel Submarine Networks, constructed the cable.

The between “US$40 and US$60 million” project is being funded by the Timor-Leste government, with financing support from the Australian Government.