Dili (13/05/2026) – In recent days, social media viral about the installation of Starlink antenna that covers 450 Vilage districts in Timor-Leste. In this regard, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, through the National Directorate of Communication Infrastructure (DENIK), clarified that the Starlink antenna is a temporary measure to ensure internet connectivity to the headquarters of the villages in Timor-Leste.
According to Director of the National Directorate of Communications Infrastructure (DNIK) Ambrosio Amaral said, the process to implement Starlink internet must go through technical stages such as testing, simulation and evaluation before making a permanent contract. Technicians have been testing since January and February to see if the Starlink antenna can integrate with the government network.
“Before making a final decision, we must test and control the starlink antenna to ensure that the service can run according to the needs of the government,” said DENIK to journalists recently.
DENIK explains that Starlink antennas do not replace fiber optic cable internet. The Government continues to implement the fiber optic cable project through the NCP – National Connectivity Project, which over the years has extended fiber optic lines to all capitals and municipalities.
Currently, the main difficulty is the budget limitation to purchase additional equipment and make direct connections to the headquarters of the villages. This year, the DENIK budget decreased from about USD 2.9 million to USD 1.9 million, which affected the speed of project implementation.
DNIK also said that the installation of the Starlink antenna through a partnership with the company Vorakai, which provides equipment and Starlink antenna. The government will only pay for the monthly service, and the antenna is considered a temporary solution until the fiber optic network is complete.
“When the fiber optic infrastructure is complete to the sub-districts and village headquarters, the Starlink antenna will be able to disconnect,” DNIK clarified.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications reaffirms that its main priority is to ensure internet connectivity to all state institutions in the territory of Timor-Leste, including the headquarters of sukus in remote areas.
DNIK asks the public to understand that the use of Starlink is part of a technical and temporary strategy to ensure that government internet access can run smoothly and controlled.
Journalist/Intern : caryn / Sandra
Editor : Manuel Andrade
