Tait donates four TB7100s to help Connect East Timor

Timor-Leste (East Timor) is one of the world’s poorest nations, 40% of the population is deemed to be poor, 63% of the population earn less than $2 per day and some 32% of the population have never had a sustainable telecommunications system. 

To combat these disturbing statistics and move towards rebuilding Timor-Leste, PALMSAustralia, an Australian, non-government, international aid agency established the Connect East Timor (CET) campaign. 

One of the first steps in the CET campaign was the completion of the Pilot Project (Installation Stage) in September 2007.  The Project provided affordable access to essential communications for some 16,000 to 20,000 people in Balibo and Lacuta Timor-Leste for the first time.  It has also provided the Dili District with essential emergency communication capabilities.

The success of this project can be attributed to the many volunteers and donations made to the campaign.  Tait donated four 25W 400-470MHz TB7100 base stations to the project which have helped ensure the new communication system improves all types of services for people living in rural and remote areas.

The next step for the CET campaign is to provide ongoing monitoring and support of the Demonstration and Pilot networks.  Also, the CET team will be working with the Government of Timor-Leste to secure funding for full scale implementation of basic, solar powered radio networks to all 66 sub-districts and 480 villages.

For more information on the CET campaign visit the Connect East Timor web site at www.connecteasttimor.com.