Connecting Rural Communities

In rural Timor-Leste, approximately one third of the population does not have access to any form of telecommunications. This includes two way radios, telephones, mobile phones, email, and the internet. The lack of this capability has been linked to appalling neo-natal death rates, a chronic lack of education facilities, difficulties with governance and poor prospects for economic development.

For these rural communities, the presence of a sustainable communication system would aid in health security, facilitate tele-medicine, encourage community economic development and increase the delivery of public services such as education and emergency services.

The Net-i-foho Project

To address this shortfall, Catalpa International's Net-i-Foho project (meaning network in the mountains in Tetun) is delivering a highly sustainable and affordable Wireless Mesh Networking system for organisations that provide vital services - education, healthcare, economic development - in rural and under-served areas of the Ermera District of Timor Leste.

The network is connecting three regional communities to the district capital, linking essential service organisations in over twenty locations. These essential service organisations include health clinics, hospitals, pathology labs and police stations. The network also links local government offices, coffee cooperatives, orphanages, community groups, parish offices, and not-for-profit community development organisations. It will allow these organisations to exchange emails, send instant messages, share documents and browse a community intranet without incurring any cost. Participant organisations can also extend their reach beyond the Net-i-Foho mesh-network intranet by paying a small fee to gain internet access.

With training and direct community participation the network and its services will expand over time. Meaning, community need will dictate the types of services and applications available in the future. Overall, the Net-i-foho network seeks to assist these services to build community capacity, increase their efficiency and help them deliver much needed community development programs.

Network Coverage in Ermera

Catalpa International's Wireless Mesh Infrastructure in Ermera covers the communities of Lete Foho, Ermera Villa, Eraulu, and the district capital of Gleno. However, due to the size of the network it is also possible to gain access in many of the local villages that fall within the networks range. These villages include Tali Kotu, Estado, Punilala, Riheu, Madede and others. In total the network stretches over an area of 42 km2, with great scope for expansion.

The nature of Wireless Mesh Infrastructure is such that as other organisations and communities join the network, its range and connectivity will increase, creating opportunities for other villages and organisations to participate. Additionally, gaining access to the network in the local communities is as easy as opening a wifi enabled laptop. Upon establishing a connection, an individual will be able to communicate with any other individual or organisation that is using the wireless infrastructure.

Project Expansion - Oecussi and Atauro

Catalpa International is focused on those areas in Timor-Leste with the greatest levels of poverty. Atauro and the enclave of Oe-cussi have been identified by the Timor Leste government as areas of special focus due to their isolation and poor conditions. Both are plagued by anemic economic activity and some of Timor-Leste's worst health outcomes.

Catalpa International has established internet access to a small number of nodes both in Atauro and Oe-cussi, and is implementing a similar network as that present in the Ermera District. The hope is that increased access to information and communication will facilitate greater economic activity as well as bring more attention to the needs of Timor's rural poor.