Timor-Leste Launches First International Subsea Cable

Developing Telecoms Staff, Developing Telecoms
August 5, 2026

Cabos de Timor-Leste has commercially opened the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable System, giving the country its first international subsea connection available to customers. The launch marks a new operating milestone for TLSSC after the system began carrying government traffic and national operators started connecting earlier this year.

The 607 km system links Dili with Vocus' North West Cable System off Australia. It was designed for 27 Tbps, with half of that capacity allocated to Timor-Leste. Transport and Communications Minister Miguel Manetelu said government agencies and the country's three telecom operators tested the network, while Vocus confirmed that the connection met its technical requirements for commercial operation.

Alcatel Submarine Networks constructed the cable, and DXN installed the Dili landing station. The Timor-Leste government financed the project with support from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, which provided both grant and loan funding.

Commercial access gives local providers a new alternative to the satellite and microwave links that have historically carried the country's international traffic. It also turns earlier construction, landing and government-use milestones into a service that can support a wider customer base. Additional international diversity may follow through projects such as Asia Connect Cable, while Hawaiki Nui 1 retains an optional Timor-Leste branch. For now, TLSSC is the country's first operational international subsea route offered commercially.

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