Dili, May 28, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The National Communications Authority (ANC) held a press conference regarding the companies Gardamor and Borakai becoming official resellers of Starlink, the revolutionary satellite internet service from Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (Space X), aimed at developing technology in Timor-Leste. The conference was held on Tuesday.
The President of the National Communications Authority, Flávio Cardoso Neves, stated that prior to the appointment of official Starlink resellers, Star link had conducted a three-month trial period and submitted their request to begin operations in Timor-Leste.
“On 20 August, we issued a registration certificate recognizing them as an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and on 4 December 2024, they officially received a general spectrum license to begin operations in Timor-Leste. We have three types of licenses: general, network, and individual licenses, which are required for an ISP to obtain operational approval,” said ANC President Flávio Cardoso Neves.
The ANC President further explained that during this period, discussions were held on the legal and administrative mechanisms required to initiate operations in Timor-Leste. These administrative discussions laid the groundwork for setting criteria that enabled Starlink to be authorized to begin operations.
“On 4 December 2024, we officially launched this process, and discussions are ongoing. I believe ANC and Space X, which is represented in Timor-Leste and also in the United States, are coordinating well to achieve the objective of distributing equipment and starting operations in Timor-Leste,” said the ANC President.
He also revealed that last week, Space X representatives visited Timor-Leste from 11 to 15 May and engaged in intensive technical discussions. These discussions confirmed the designation of two authorized ISPs, Gardamor and Borakai, as official resellers of Starlink equipment in Timor-Leste.
“Currently, many people in Timor-Leste are selling equipment, so we’ve requested that those involved in such activities assist the regulator to improve service. The aim is to enhance technical coordination, ensure that the equipment entering Timor-Leste is original, and properly identify users and their locations, as unauthorized sales cause challenges for ANC in monitoring and control,” he said.
He emphasized that those selling Starlink equipment in Timor-Leste must coordinate with the two official resellers to ensure proper oversight. The role of ANC is to regulate these two technologies and maximize their benefits for the population, contributing to national development.
“I call on our colleagues selling Starlink equipment to coordinate with the two resellers to ensure all equipment is original and activities are properly licensed,” he stated.
He affirmed that Starlink must have official resellers in Timor-Leste because many individuals have been selling Starlink equipment without regulation. Now that resellers are in place, they can help ANC enforce proper controls and facilitate operations in Timor-Leste. The presence of Starlink, together with fiber-optic infrastructure, marks a significant transformation in telecommunications.
He further explained that the existence of both fiber-optic networks and Starlink does not pose a threat to each other but instead complements one another to accelerate development, as both technologies can bring benefits to remote areas. In April 2025, Borakai officially declared itself as a Star link reseller in Timor-Leste.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano