The Development of Information and Communication Technology in Timor-Leste
- franciscorego7
- May 15
- 6 min read
Kinos May 2025 • 5-minute read
The Development of Information and Communication Technology in Timor-Leste. Over time, Timor-Leste has been able to keep up with the development of digital technology based on computer technology, smartphones, and the internet. However, geographical issues in Timor-Leste still remain a barrier to this day.
In this modern era, the application of digital technology in Timor-Leste has become increasingly widespread, starting from the world of education, trade, government, banking, and others.
The development of digital technology itself in Timor-Leste has had a significant impact on human life, both on human behavior and lifestyle. How could it not? Everything that was initially difficult has now suddenly become easy.
Let's look back at the history of the development of information technology in Timor-Leste related to computer technology, smartphones, and the internet, which have become the foundation of digitalization.
History of Digital Technology in Timor-Leste
Computers
focus was on rebuilding the country's infrastructure and institutions. During this period, computer adoption was still limited and mainly used by international organizations, government agencies, and some larger businesses. Internet access was also very limited and expensive.
Role of International Institutions and Government: International organizations and UN agencies played an important role in introducing and using computers for administration, logistics, and communication in their operations in Timor-Leste. The government gradually began to adopt this technology for administrative and public service purposes, albeit with limited resources and infrastructure.
Development of the Business Sector: Along with slow economic growth, the business sector began to see the potential of using computers to increase efficiency and productivity. However, investment in this technology was still limited to certain companies.
Increased Internet Access: The availability and affordability of internet access became a key factor in the wider adoption of computers. Initially very expensive and limited, over time, with the entry of internet service providers and investment in telecommunications infrastructure, internet access began to increase, although it still faced challenges in remote areas.
Development of Cellular Technology: The rapid development of cellular technology, especially smartphones, also contributed to the increased access to digital information and communication in Timor-Leste. Although not traditional computers, smartphones provide computing capabilities and internet access to more people.
Education and Training Initiatives: The government and non-governmental organizations began to organize computer education and training programs to improve the digital skills of the community. This is important to ensure that the people of Timor-Leste can utilize computer technology effectively.
Challenges Faced: Although computer adoption continues to increase, Timor-Leste still faces several challenges such as limited stable electricity and internet infrastructure throughout the territory, relatively high hardware and software costs, and a lack of experts in the field of information technology.
Internet
Internet is an abbreviation of Interconnection-Networking, which means a global communication network that connects billions of computer networks around the world using communication media such as satellites and telephones.
1999: The first internet connection in Timor-Leste was established by the APDIP (Asia and Pacific Development Information Programme) of the United Nations (UN). This connection aimed to support UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor), the UN transitional governing body in Timor-Leste.
Connection Type: This initial connection used a C Band link to Singapore Telecom.
Initial Bandwidth: The bandwidth available at that time was 256 kbit/s.
So, technically, the internet first arrived in Timor-Leste in 1999 through a UN initiative to support its administrative mission.
It is important to note that in these early days, internet access was very limited and mainly used by international organizations and UN staff working in Timor-Leste. Public and commercial access to the internet only gradually developed after Timor-Leste's independence in 2002.
After 2002:
Timor Telecom began operating in March 2002 and became the main telecommunications service provider, including internet.
iNet, an Australian-owned ISP, also began operating during the UNTAET period (1999-2002) and later became a sub-ISP leasing lines from Timor Telecom.
The development of internet infrastructure and wider access for the people of Timor-Leste continues to this day, although it still faces various challenges such as limited infrastructure in some areas and relatively high costs.
Smartphones
in line with the global development of cellular technology and the increasing adoption of the internet in the country. Here are the important points regarding the history of the introduction of smartphones in Timor-Leste:
Early 21st Century: Dominance of Feature Phones: In the early 2000s, after Timor-Leste's independence, the use of mobile phones was still dominated by feature phones, which mainly focused on basic voice and SMS communication functions. Although some early models had additional features like MMS, internet and application capabilities were still very limited.
Late 2000s - Early 2010s: Gradual Arrival of Smartphones: Smartphones began to enter the Timor-Leste market gradually as global availability increased and device prices decreased. Initially, smartphones may have only been used by a limited group such as business people, international workers, and a small portion of the urban population with higher purchasing power.
Role of Telecommunications Operators: Telecommunications operators played an important role in encouraging the adoption of smartphones through data package offers and device promotions. With increasingly affordable data packages and a wide selection of smartphones at various prices, smartphone ownership began to spread to various levels of society.
Global Influence and Ease of Information Access: The global popularity of smartphones and the ease of accessing information through the internet became a major driving force for the people of Timor-Leste to switch to these more sophisticated devices. Smartphones not only function as communication tools but also as devices for accessing news, social media, applications, and various other digital services.
Increased Mobile Internet Usage: Parallel to the adoption of smartphones, mobile internet usage also increased significantly. This was supported by the expansion of 3G and later 4G LTE network coverage by telecommunications operators, especially in urban areas.
Smartphones as Everyday Necessities: Currently, smartphones have become an important part of the daily lives of most people in Timor-Leste, especially the younger generation. Smartphones are used for various purposes, ranging from communication, education, business, to entertainment.
Challenges Faced:
Although smartphone adoption continues to increase, there are still several challenges such as:
Economic Limitations: The price of smartphones and data packages is still a constraint for some people with middle to lower economic levels.
Uneven Infrastructure: Stable and fast internet networks are not yet fully available throughout Timor-Leste, especially in rural areas.
Digital Skills: Varying levels of digital literacy in the community also affect the maximum utilization of smartphone features.
Here are some examples of the application of information and communication technology in the current era:
E-Learning
In general, e-learning relates to learning systems that can be accessed online using internet access. Its application can be in formal and non-formal education.
Examples of e-learning: BELE (Bele Esplora Liu-husi Eletróniku), FONGTIL E-Learning Platform.
E-Government
This relates to information and communication technology systems in government services.
Example of e-government: Government of Timor-Leste Official Website (timor-leste.gov.tl)
E-Commerce
Simply put, e-commerce is the process of buying or selling products online that occurs on the Internet.
Examples of e-commerce: Loza Online Dili, Yellow Pay
E-Banking
This relates to information and communication technology systems in financial services from banking institutions to their customers.
Examples of e-banking: BNCTL,
Impact of the Development of Information and Communication Technology
Broadly speaking, the influence of the development of information and communication technology on human life is very significant; its development brings both positive and negative impacts.
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The positive impacts of the development of information and communication technology are:
Facilitates access to obtain new information
Facilitates access to communicate regardless of distance and time
Increases time efficiency
Accelerates the flow of information
Creates many economic opportunities
Helps solve problems easily
Serves as a platform for doing business
Despite having many positive impacts, information and communication technology also has negative impacts on its users. This occurs due to the misuse of information and communication technology, as well as the lack of knowledge of digital system users regarding ethics and how to use it.
The negative impacts of the development of information and communication technology are:
Cyberbullying
Increased cybercrime and fraud
Direct socialization between humans is reduced
Rapidly developing negative content
Increasing defamation
The positive and negative impacts obtained from the current development of technology and information lead society to be more careful in using technology. Because all the positive and negative sides of technological development can happen at any time without our prior anticipation. So, be vigilant!
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