Kacific brings fast, low cost broadband to Timor-Leste

Wednesday, 27 April 2016

Kacific Broadband Satellites today announced a US$21 million supply agreement with Timor-Leste company GardaMor Security Ltda. The agreement will provide low-cost high-speed broadband internet to the people, enterprises and institutions of Timor-Leste.

Kacific will beam signals from its high throughput (HTS) Ka-band satellites to cover the whole of Timor-Leste, while today broadband access is mostly restricted to the capital city, Dili. Customers from GardaMor Security will be able to enjoy affordable high speed internet by installing a small (75cm to 1.2m diameter) inexpensive VSAT terminal, even in the remote communities of this mountainous country.

The Kacific service will immediately solve the connectivity problem for Timor-Leste, without the need for any major infrastucture roll out. The HTS service and VSAT terminals on the ground will provide good network quality at a price that the people of Timor-Leste can afford.

"The signing of the agreement with Kacific means that we Timorese can work for the effective development of our country," says Mr Eduardo Belo Soares / GATTOT, CEO and Founder of GardaMor Security Ltda.

"A good internet connection means prosperity, equality and an open vision about the world where we live."

Since its independence in 2002, Timor-Leste has made good progress in health, education and economic growth, but poverty rates remain high, particularly in rural areas, where the majority of the population lives.

A number of challenges remain, including rebuilding the country’s infrastructure, which was badly damaged during the transition to independence. Broadband connectivity remains a major issue with no fiber cable connecting the country and very little telecom distribution infrastructure outside Dili.

Timor-Leste has a very young population (60% of the population is under 25), so providing quality education and meaningful opportunities to young people is an ongoing struggle. There is heavy pressure from the young population to access the internet.

"I believe that this agreement will have an explosive effect on internet usage in Timor-Leste," says Christian Patouraux, CEO of Kacific.

"It will become a key driver of social capital improvement for the country, providing opportunities for better healthcare, education and quality of life. The service will open up opportunities to government and enterprises to provide important services to regions of Timor-Leste that would otherwise by under-served."

"Affordable internet connectivity is exactly what we need in Timor-Leste," says Mr Eduardo Belo Soares / GATTOT.

"In remote areas it is important to have internet access. We need to put students and teachers in contact with other national students and teachers and with the world. We need to get doctors talking with other doctors when roads and distance make it too dangerous to move high-risk patients."

"I hope to achieve sustained and integrated development for the whole nation of Timor-Leste," continues Mr Eduardo Belo Soares / GATTOT.

"I hope to create more jobs, with better salaries and to provide local communities with the opportunity to create their own business. A fast affordable internet connection will enable local businesses to show the world what they can do and to participate in global markets."

Mr. Patouraux adds that connectivity is also a crucial part in responding to and recovering from natural disasters.

"Broadband allows emergency services to quickly identify people and villages in danger, even in remote regions. We can help make emergency planning and disaster recovery programmes more effective."

Kacific now has over US$200 million of bandwidth in signed commitments from nations throughout the Pacific and south east Asia. It will start delivering services to customers this year.

Source: http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/5/249837