Government signs contract to expand digital connectivity to 450 village headquarters nationwide
On May 4th, 2026, in Dili, the Government, through the Minister of Transport and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, signed a contract with the telecommunications company Vorakai Lda as part of the programme to expand internet connectivity nationwide. 
The signing ceremony was held at the Office of the Minister of Transport and Communications. National Director of Communications Infrastructure Ambrosio Amaral, National Director of Procurement Pascoal Couto, and Information Technology (IT) Consultant Savio Roomy attended. Vorakai Lda was represented by the President and CEO, Tammy Kassiou; the Chief Financial Officer, Idrisiyah Sagran; and the IT Manager, Rosito dos Santos.
The strategic partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Vorakai Lda forms part of the Government’s efforts to improve internet access in rural areas and to bridge the digital divide between urban centres and remote areas using Starlink satellite technology. The initiative aims to facilitate access to high-quality internet and to support the more efficient operation of local government.
Under this agreement, Starlink antennas are to be installed at 450 village headquarters nationwide, in coordination with the Ministry of State Administration, to ensure connectivity to integrated government systems, including the Integrated Village and Hamlet Management System (SIGSA, acronym in Portuguese).
These connections are temporary. Later this year, the National Directorate of Infrastructure and Communications will begin installing a fibre-optic network connecting municipal capitals to administrative offices, spanning approximately 1,500 kilometres. Along the route, the infrastructure will also enable connections to public schools, clinics, health centres, and village offices located near roads covered by the network. Once the fibre-optic connection is established, the installed Starlink antennas will be deactivated.
The National Directorate of Infrastructure and Communications will be responsible for monitoring and managing the connected network, enabling integrated connectivity across various government systems and platforms, as well as notary services.
The initiative forms part of the Information and Communication Technologies programme of the National Directorate for Infrastructure and Communications, which is designed to provide efficient, reliable, secure, and accessible communications to State institutions throughout the country, in accordance with the Organic Law of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
