East Timor Travel Guide - Communications

Country code: 670.

Coverage provided by Timor Telecom International in and around Dili and other main urban areas. International roaming agreements are stilll being set up but cannot be relied upon as yet. In some parts of the country, however, telephone communication may still only be possible with satellite telephones.

Facilities are not generally available to the public at the present time but VPM Internet Services (website: www.vpm.com) does operate in the country.

A limited postal service does exist.

East Timor's national public radio and TV services began broadcasting in May 2002 when the country gained independence, replacing the interim broadcasting services operated by the UN. Public radio services are said to reach some 90% of the population; public TV has a smaller coverage. Community radio stations have played a key role in the process of national reconstruction. Many of the stations receive funding, training and equipment from international agencies and organisations.

• East Timor has two daily newspapers, Suara Timor Lorosae and the Timor Post.
• A number of weekly titles include Jornal Nacional Semanario.

• Televisão de Timor Leste (TVTL) is public.

• Radio Nacional de Timor Leste (RTL) is public.
• Radio Falintil/Voz da Esperança is a community station which began life as a clandestine station operated by East Timor rebels.
• Radio Timor Kmanek (RTK) is a Catholic Church radio.
• BBC World Service programmes in English and Portuguese are available in Dili on FM frequencies.