On March 20–21, 2025, the International Conference on Digital Transformation was held at the Dili Convention Center, Timor-Leste. The event, initiated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), brought together high-level delegates including Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, Minister of Transport and Communications of Timor-Leste, Benedictus Ardiyanto Priyo, CEO of Telkomcel, and Mr. Kharisma, Chief Commercial Officer of Telin. The two-day conference marked a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to accelerate national digital development.
As digital technology continues to reshape economies worldwide, Timor-Leste is taking bold steps to accelerate its digital transformation. Recognizing the critical role of digital infrastructure in driving economic growth and enhancing public services, the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) of Timor-Leste is leading efforts to build a strong digital foundation for the country. Through strategic policies and initiatives, MTC aims to foster a robust digital ecosystem that is aligned with international standards and best practices.
Subsea Cables: The Backbone of a Resilient Digital Ecosystem
In supporting the event, Kharisma shared its perspective on the evolving landscape of global digital infrastructure. He highlighted about how subsea cables serve as the backbone of a resilient and robust digital ecosystem, enabling high-speed internet connectivity, seamless global communication, and access to advanced digital services, a transformation that will be accelerated through strong collaboration between countries. These undersea fiber-optic networks carry 99% of all global data traffic, making them indispensable to the modern digital economy.
He presented Telin’s perspective on the strategic role of subsea cable systems, particularly within the Asia Pacific region. He highlighted Telin’s significant progress in the industry, noting that the company has advanced from 7th to 3rd position among regional players for subsea cable systems less than 10 years old, a category that has become increasingly relevant and popular in the telecommunications sector due to its alignment with the latest technological standards, growing capacity demands, and evolving market needs. He emphasized that subsea cable infrastructure is more than just technology, it is a fundamental pillar of digital resilience.For Timor-Leste, investing in subsea cables is not only a step toward overcoming geographical barriers but also a strategic move to enhance connectivity quality, expand digital penetration, and integrate the nation into the global digital landscape. Through international cooperation and shared expertise, Timor-Leste can accelerate its digital transformation journey, building an ecosystem that is secure, scalable, and future-ready.
Telin’s Expertise in Subsea Cable Operations
Telin has built a strong global presence with 162 Points of Presence (PoP) across 35 countries, ensuring seamless interconnection and global reach. Central to its strategy are 27 subsea cable systems, including 15 fully owned and 12 operated through consortiums, offering both strategic control and collaboration flexibility.
With a total cable length of 306,376 kilometers which equivalent to five times the Earth’s circumference, Telin’s subsea cable network provides a secure and reliable infrastructure to meet growing digital demands in the Asia Pacific and beyond. Looking forward, Telin is expanding its subsea infrastructure with 14 systems in development, including new exploration projects and ongoing systems, further extending its global reach and capabilities.
The session underscored the critical factors that must be considered of several key factors in operating an international cable to enhance digital penetration and connectivity quality in Timor-Leste. These factors include service excellence to maintain high-quality network performance, traffic management to optimize data flow, security to protect digital infrastructure, and sustainability to ensure long-term resilience and growth.
Navigating Geopolitical Challenges and Expanding Global Connectivity
Telin’s subsea cable initiatives are heavily influenced by geopolitical factors, which shape its strategic decisions on infrastructure deployment. The global trade war, for instance, has led to a shift in subsea cable routing, with many major projects being diverted away from the South China Sea due to its increasing instability. As a result, operators from China are likely to avoid partnerships with U.S. companies and territories, creating opportunities for Indonesia's waters to become a critical route for subsea cable deployment. In addition, the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing situation in Yemen, has introduced more rigid and complicated procedures for cable installation and repairs in the Red Sea. This has prompted carrier operators to seek alternative routes through Southeast Asia, favoring Indonesia for its better diversity and lower latency.
One major initiative is the Indonesian Cable Express (ICE), a vast subsea cable network connecting Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, and North America by 2028. This project envisions Indonesia as a hub in the Indo-Pacific and includes seven key systems linking Indonesia to global markets. Consortium parties involved in ICE include SingTel, BW Digital, Korea Telecom, and Softbank.
Through these strategic initiatives, Telin is reinforcing its position in the global subsea cable industry, positioning Indonesia as a central hub in the digital ecosystem while supporting its broader digital transformation goals.
Collaborating for Timor-Leste’s Digital Future
Collaboration is the key to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation in Timor-Leste. By fostering partnerships with global ICT leaders like Telin and engaging with regional stakeholders, Timor-Leste can accelerate its adoption of cutting-edge technologies while building a competitive digital economy.
As Timor-Leste embarks on its digital transformation journey, subsea cable infrastructure will play a pivotal role in shaping its future. The insights shared during Telin’s session provided a roadmap for leveraging this technology to enhance connectivity quality, improve public service delivery, and foster sustainable economic growth.
Through strategic investments in modern infrastructure and strong international collaboration, Timor-Leste is poised to build a resilient digital ecosystem that empowers its citizens while positioning itself as a leader in regional innovation.