The APNIC Foundation is launching EmpowerTech — a series of events across six economies in South East Asia, beginning with the Timor Leste event in Dili, running 25-26 July 2025. These events are designed to address region-specific challenges in Internet connectivity, meaningful access, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion, with a focus on technical, policy, and social realities facing Asia Pacific economies.
South East Asia’s digital landscape
While South East Asia has experienced rapid digital growth, national contexts vary substantially. In Timor Leste, for instance, recent data indicates only 34.5% of the population has Internet access, with average connection speeds of 4.85Mbps for mobile and 6.10Mbps for broadband. This highlights persistent digital divides relative to the economy’s neighbours.
In early 2025, a new submarine cable was built to connect Timor Leste to Australia, laying the groundwork for better connectivity. However, this alone doesn’t immediately fix key challenges like last-mile access, affordability, or digital skills — all of which are essential for long-term digital progress. Infrastructure upgrades must be accompanied by investments in robust local expertise, a supportive technical policy and regulatory environment, and collaboration between government, the private sector, and community-based organizations.
EmpowerTech Timor Leste
EmpowerTech Timor Leste will bring together diverse stakeholders from government, the technical community, academia, the private sector, and community-based organizations, and will serve as a leading platform for technical knowledge sharing and capability building on these topics:
- Internet infrastructure: Addressing the challenges of meaningful connectivity and access, limited speeds, and network reliability to address the need for resilient, scalable infrastructure and network architecture in Timor Leste.
- Cybersecurity readiness: Building capabilities for threat detection, incident response, and collaborative security at institutional and stakeholder levels is vital for Timor Leste to become more integrated with the global economy.
- Supportive techno-policy environment: Fostering dialogue among stakeholders on technically informed policy, and supportive policy environments for Internet and digital development.
- Human capability development: Building indigenous technical skills and capacity for innovation to develop a workforce equipped to build and sustain infrastructure.
The EmpowerTech initiative evolved from the APNIC Foundation’s Switch! project, which focuses on women and gender diverse individuals. It recognizes that enduring digital development in the Asia Pacific depends on equitable participation in the digital economy. The events ensure women and gender-diverse professionals from six participating economies are actively involved, both as contributors and leaders.
Upcoming events in South East Asia
The EmpowerTech series will continue in:
- Cambodia: 30 – 31 August 2025, Phnom Penh
- Lao PDR: 3 – 4 September 2025, Vientiane
- Viet Nam: 5 – 6 September 2025, Da Nang
- Philippines: 8 – 9 November 2025
- Thailand: 8 – 9 November 2025
For technical professionals, policymakers, and community-based organizations in the Asia Pacific, EmpowerTech provides an evidence-based forum to address current Internet and technology challenges. To learn more, see the EmpowerTech page. For partnership or participation opportunities at our upcoming EmpowerTech events, contact the APNIC Foundation.
The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.