Communications

Communication technology

• Many Timorese communities do not have access to a reliable mobile phone network.
• Most Timorese communities do not have access to the internet.
• Landline telephones are not widely available.
• Think carefully how you are going to manage communications between your group and your Timorese counterpart.
• Clear channels of communication are fundamental to the success of your group.

Various strategies that have been used in the past to communicate using the current communication technology include:

• Communicating through an intermediary - for example, a Peace Corps volunteer or an International Non Government Organisation employee based in the area. This intermediary relays the information to the Timorese group. (The potential difficulty with this is that the group is reliant on one person to distribute the information equitably and accurately).
• Relying on one person with access to technology - for example, the Timorese group may rely on one of their members with access to technology to be their contact for communication and all messages are relayed through them. Some groups have a pre-arranged time and they phone each week/fortnight at the same time.
• Setting up access to phone or internet - This entails the Australian group providing the resources to set up access to the internet or phone. This may involve providing access to solar technology, providing the infrastructure, hardware and funding the monthly bill. (See case study of Suai and Aileu).

In all of the above, it is important to recognise that the internet and phone are extremely costly in Timor and your group might want to think about how to subsidise the Timorese costs. If you do have a pre arranged time to call, make sure that your group is the one calling. It might be unrealistic to expect your Timorese counterparts to be able to afford to contact you as often as you might want to contact them.

Community Radio

Some groups have relied on community radio as a means of promoting the Friendship alliance and activities and informing the wider community about activities. However, the Batteries for the radios are expensive and groups might need to consider subsidising the costs of the batteries if they want to ensure that the radio remains a viable means of communicating. The Friends of Suai are planning to invest in revitalising Radio Taroman in Suai - see story below:

The local Suai radio station was operating out of the community centre until World Bank funding ceased in January 2003. Radio Taroman is looking at ways to get up and running again. The radio station has had difficulty operating, electricity provision is unreliable and the cost of fuel is high. Friends of Suai recognises in the importance of local media in rebuilding communities and are very interested in supporting this initiative. Both the community steering groups and the council have supported this project in principle. So the `friends of Suai have just organized for the transportation and instillation of solar panels to help power up the community radio - see case study two below. This wil ensure the continued viability of the community radio and provide a means of communication accessible to all those who have access to a radio.