Telecommunications
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector in Laos. The MPT is responsible for issuing licenses to telecommunications service providers, regulating tariffs, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
MPT oversees and regulates the sector on the basis of the 2021 Telecommunication Law. The Telecom Law 2021 (amended) has replaced the previous one amended in 2011. However, the Telecom Law 2021 has not been implemented in practice as of this date. The revamped provisions of the Telecom Law 2021 are intended to facilitate the ease of doing telecommunications businesses and increase the administrative efficiency of the telecommunications sector.
Laos’ telecommunications sector is dominated by four major players: Lao Telecom (LTC), Star Telecom (UNITEL), Enterprise Telecommunications Lao (ETL) and T-Plus Laos (formerly Beeline). These companies have invested heavily in expanding their networks and improving their services in recent years.
One of the key policies of Laos’ telecommunications regulatory framework is to promote competition in the sector. The government has issued licenses to several other companies to provide telecommunications services, including, but not limited to, Planet, LaoSat, SLT Network, Mangkone and Chalurnsup. These companies have been able to compete with the major players by offering lower tariffs and innovative services.
Information and communication technology is formalized in Lao government policy as an important cross-cutting sector to achieve National Socio-Economic Development Plan, ensuring 100 per cent Internet coverage, access to broadband services for people across the country and transform Laos from a landlocked into land-linked country.
In 2021, the Lao Ministry of Public Security, which is in charge of the enforcement of regulations and techniques of control of internet network with a view to ensuring national peace and public order, announced the creation of taskforce set up to monitor social media use, focusing on especially on fake news. And the Ministry of Information and Culture and Tourism, which is concerned with approving the content of information and data exchanged on the internet, issued an order to provincial-level departments to register all owners of popular websites, Facebook pages, and other social media news outlets.
In 2023, Laos had around 6.45 million mobile phone connections, making up 85% of the country’s total population of 7.58 million. The most popular social media platforms in Laos are Facebook which accounts for 3.2 million users (46% female and 53% male), Instagram records a smaller number of users at just 488,000 (58% female and 41.2% male) and Twitter estimates a total of 238,000 users (69% female).
For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.
Telephone Services |
|
---|---|
Is there an existing landline telephone network? |
Yes |
Does it allow international calls? |
Yes |
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) |
Not known |
Mobile Phone Providers |
LTC, UNITEL, ETL, T-Plus Laos |
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage |
18/18 provinces, 148/148 districts |
Telecommunications Regulations
The Office of Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) issued a notice on January 30, 2023, informing individuals, legal entities, and organizations that import telecommunications and ICT equipment nationwide about the Agreement on the Management of Telecommunications and ICT Equipment, No. 3583/KTS dated December 13, 2022. The importation of telecommunications and ICT equipment into Laos must be inspected and conform to technical standards first, to protect users’ rights and interests, ensure that the equipment is of high quality and safety, and ensure the stability and order of the society. The management of this equipment involves the inspection, issuance of Type Approval certificates, notification of conformity, and the use of technical regulation marks before their production, import, export, use, and distribution. Article 25 of the Agreement lists the application documents for the Type of Approval Certificate. Importers should request inspection and certification from the Department of Radio Frequency.
On July 21, 2023, MPT published the notice No. 0416 regarding implementation of regulations on technical standards of telecommunications and ICT equipment. The notice will take effect on August 4, 2023. Notable points are 1) Type Approval certificate and Notification of compliance issued to Type 1 devices will be valid for 3 years. Notification of compliance issued to Type 2 devices will be valid for 1 year, 2) MPT accepts test reports issued by ISO/IEC17025 accredited lab, and lab’s Accreditation Certificate should be included in application documents, 3) 5G Network Equipment must pass the evaluation of GSMA NESAS technical standards, 4) Products mentioned in item 10 of the notice, such as mobile phone, tablet, router should bear with a MTC label sticker. Local importers who intend to place the label sticker in the technical documents, user manual or other places, rather than on the device or packaging box, must request permission from the radio frequency department.
Regulations on Usage and Import |
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---|---|---|
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Regulations in Place? |
Regulating Authority |
Satellite |
Yes |
Department of Radio Frequency, MPT |
HF Radio |
Yes |
Same as above |
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile |
Yes |
Same as above |
UHF/VHF Repeaters |
Yes |
Same as above |
GPS |
Yes |
Same as above |
VSAT |
Yes |
Same as above |
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required |
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|
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Frequency Licenses Required |
||
|
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
The VHF antenna installed on top of UNDP antenna tower at maximum allowable height; the antenna is point to cover North-West side of Vientiane where coverage from UNDP Channel 3 is beyond reach. The Omni-direction antennas being use with MTR2000 is operating at its maximum capacity and can no longer adjusted to achieve more coverage; the current MTR2000 will cover maximum 2 km radius from UNDP office. However, according to the new Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) requirement, it is unnecessary to have this feature in Laos. The signal has been deactivated, although it can be activated for VHF and VF purposes if needed, with proper maintenance.
Existing UN Telecommunication Systems |
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---|---|---|---|---|
|
WFP |
UNICEF |
UNDP |
|
VHF Frequencies |
Yes (Not in use) |
Yes (Not in use) |
Yes (Not in use) |
|
HF Frequencies |
Yes (Not in use) |
Yes (Not in use) |
Yes (Not in use) |
|
Locations of Repeaters |
Yes (Not in use) |
Yes (Not in use) |
Yes (Not in use) |
|
VSAT |
Yes |
No |
No |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
There are 25 companies that were given Business Licenses for ISPs in 2021 to provide internet connections through satellites and optical fibre networks. Individual organizations can get contracts from these companies.
Some of the major ISPs in Laos are Lao Telecom (LTC), Star Telecom (UNITEL), Enterprise Telecommunications Lao (ETL) and T-Plus Laos (formerly Beeline).
Internet Service Providers |
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---|---|---|
Are there ISPs available? |
Yes |
|
If yes, are they privately or government owned? |
Joint Ventures and Private |
|
Dial-up only? |
No, but include broadband, mobile data and Wi-Fi hotspots |
|
Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) |
Dial-up |
N/A |
Broadband |
100,000 LAK to 300,000 LAK (USD 10 to USD 30) per month, depends on the package or 1GB at USD 0.25 |
|
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth |
512 Kbps or higher |
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Laos has four major Mobile Network Operators. Lao Telecom, often referred to as LTC, has the largest coverage, with near-nationwide 4G though some villages in remote areas still rely on 3G or 2G. As the second largest coverage, UNITEL’s 4G signal is available in all major cities and provinces, as well as most rural districts. Enterprise Telecommunications Lao (ETL) network covers almost all major cities, the network coverage in rural areas may not be as comprehensive compared to LTC and UNITEL. T-Plus Laos network coverage is stronger in major urban areas. T-Plus has been steadily expanding into rural and remote areas.
In 2023, Laos has around 6.45 million mobile phone connections, making up 85% of the country’s total population of 7.58 million. From October 1, 2023, telecommunications and internet companies will only be allowed to sell SIM cards through designated company service points. The Lao Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, which is under MPT, instructs mobile phone users to register their SIM cards by taking photos of their ID cards, driver’s license, family registration book and resident certificate and send them, online, to the Authority by the end of the year.
For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.
Company |
Number of Agent Outlets by Area |
Network Strength by Area |
Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer Programmes? |
Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursement, Receive & Make Payment) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lao Telecom (LTC) |
N/A |
Very Good (all provinces) |
N/A |
3G, 4G, 5G (some areas in Vientiane Capital), GMS, fixed-line, e-SIM card, M-MONEY (from July 2021) |
Star Telecom (UNITEL) |
N/A |
Very Good (all provinces) |
Yes |
2G, 3G, 4G, Voice, SMS, data package, e-SIM, U-MONEY(from 2018) |
Enterprise Telecommunications Lao (ETL) |
N/A |
Good (all provinces) |
N/A |
2G GSM services over the 900 MHz band, 3G UMTS service over the B1 (2100 MHz) band, 4G LTE deployment using 15 MHz of B3 (1800 MHz), fixed line, FTTH broadband internet, business solutions and education programs, E2pay |
T-Plus Laos |
N/A |
Good (all provinces with limited to major population center) |
N/A |
2G, 3G, 4G, e-SIM |