DILI, 22 September 2023 (TATOLI) — The Government of Timor-Leste through the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTK) has signed a contract agreement with the companies RMS Ltd and DXN Ltd for the procurement of the “Civil Works for Landing Infrastructure TLSSC and Supply & Installation of Cable Landing Station (CLS).
The contract agreement was signed by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Menetelu, the Chief Executive Officer of DXN Limited, Shalini Lagrutta, and Erik Stokes, the Operations Manager of RMS Engineering and Construction Ltd.
“This is the start of construction of the landing station for the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable (TLSSC). According to the contract, RMS will be responsible for the Civil Works of the TLSSC Landing Infrastructure, while DXN will carry out the works relating to the Supply and Installation of the Cable Landing Station (CLS),” Minister Menetelu told reporters after the signing ceremony, in Dili.
He said that the project would be financed entirely from the government budget.
The construction and installation of the landing stations is part of the government’s responsibility to prepare all the necessary conditions for the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable (TLSSC) project.
The installation of the fiber-optic landing station is expected to be completed in April 2024.
In may 2022, the VIII Government, through the Inter-Ministerial Committee (The Ministry of Planning and Territory, Ministry of Finance, the coordinating minister for Economic Affairs, and The Ministry of Transport and Communications) signed the TLSSC Project Implementation Agreement with the Alcatel Submarine Network (ASN).
The agreement to produce the cable for the TLSSC project was signed by the Minister of Transport and Communications, José Agustinho da Silva, and the ASN representative, Craig Carter.
DXN’s Chief Executive Officer Shalini Lagrutta said that her company has expertise in data centers, telecommunications, construction, as well as mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering.
“I am honored to be part of this important project. It’s another milestone for Timor-Leste to bring high-speed internet to the Timorese people,” she said.
The Operation Manager of RMS Engineering and Construction, Erik Stokes, said that his company has been in Timor-Leste for more than two decades and has contributed significantly to the country’s national development.
He said that RMS would ensure good quality control in the construction of the TLSSC landing station.
This project is a crucial component for Timor-Leste, as it will provide internet access to all Timorese throughout the country. It will certainly improve the quality of education, boost economic growth, and so on.
In his speech the at the 12th Exchange Meeting of the Communications Authority of Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP), in Dili, the President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta said that having a good telecommunications system is part of one of the requirements explained in the Roadmap for Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Timor-Leste will have a greater impact, especially on human capital development, inclusive economy, e-government, health, education, and agriculture,” Horta said.
The VIII Government allocated US$ 41.6 million of the 2022 General State Budget for the acquisition of submarine fiber optic cable equipment.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
