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4 Best Mobile Operators in Laos
Nov
Laos, a small and landlocked country in Southeast Asia, has seen significant growth in its mobile telecommunications industry over the past decade. With a population of over 7 million people, the demand for reliable and affordable mobile services has become increasingly important.
When you travel to Laos SIM cards, selecting the right mobile operators in Laos will give you a seamless internet experience, making your trip to Laos complete.
Currently, there are four main mobile operators in Laos, consisting of Unitel Laos, Lao Telecom, ETL and TPlus. These operators all offer voice calls, text messaging, data, and internet access, but it’s up to you to decide which one is the best fit for you.
They all have different things they’re good at and not so good at. You need to think about what you need from a mobile company before choosing one based on their network coverage, price, and how helpful their customer service is.
Let’s take a closer look at each one of them:
Laos SIM card plans for Travel
| Operator | Plan Name | Data | Calls/SMS | Validity | Price |
| Unitel | 1 Day | 500MB | 100 mins/SMS | 1 day | $2 |
| Weekly | 2GB | 500 mins/SMS | 7 days | $7 | |
| 30 Day | 5GB | Unlimited | 30 days | $15 | |
| Lao Telecom | 3 Day | 1GB | 300 mins/SMS | 3 days | $5 |
| 30 Day Red | 5GB | Unlimited | 30 days | $15 | |
| 90 Day Purple | 30GB | Unlimited | 90 days | $40 | |
| TPlus | Daily | 1GB | 300 mins | 1 day | $2 |
| Classic Monthly | 10GB | Unlimited | 30 days | $15 | |
| ETL | 1 Day | 500MB | 100 mins/SMS | 1 day | $2 |
| 15 Day | 3GB | 1000 mins/SMS | 15 days | $10 | |
| 30 Day Plus | 10GB | Unlimited | 30 days | $20 |
1. Unitel Laos
Unitel Laos, also known as Lao Telecom, is the largest mobile operator in Laos with a market share of over 50%. It was established in 2000 and is jointly owned by the Lao government and Viettel, a Vietnamese telecommunications company.
Services and Coverage
Unitel Laos offers 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE services to its customers, with 4G coverage available in all major cities and towns in the country. It also has the widest coverage area in Laos, with service available in over 95% of the country’s population. Unitel’s network quality and reliability have been commended by customers, making it the go-to choice for many mobile users in Laos.
Pricing and Packages
Unitel Laos offers a variety of prepaid and postpaid packages to cater to different needs and budgets. Its prepaid packages start from as low as 5,000 kip (about $0.60 USD) and offer data, voice calls, and SMS. Postpaid plans come with additional benefits such as free minutes, unlimited data, and international roaming options. Unitel also offers attractive promotions and discounts throughout the year, making it an affordable choice for customers.
Customer Satisfaction
Unitel Laos has received numerous awards and accolades for its services, including the Best Mobile Operator in Laos by Frost & Sullivan and the Best Quality Network Award by Ookla. Its customer service has also been praised for its efficiency and helpfulness. However, some customers have complained about slow internet speeds during peak hours and lack of network coverage in rural areas.
Table 1: Comparison of Unitel Laos’ Prepaid Packages
| Package Name | Price (kip) | Data | Voice Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Fun | 5,000 | 50 MB | 15 min | 10 |
| Light | 30,000 | 500 MB | 60 min | 30 |
| Basic | 50,000 | 1 GB | 120 min | 50 |
| Super | 100,000 | 2 GB | 240 min | 100 |
| Ultimate | 200,000 | 4 GB | 480 min | 200 |
2. Lao Telecom
Lao Telecom, also known as LTC, is the first mobile operator in Laos, established in 1996. It is a state-owned company and holds the second-largest market share in the country.
Services and Coverage
Lao Telecom offers 2G and 3G services to its customers, with limited 4G coverage available in major cities. Its network covers around 80% of the population in Laos, which is significantly lower than Unitel’s coverage. However, Lao Telecom’s services are relatively stable and reliable, with good voice call quality and fast internet speeds.
Pricing and Packages
Lao Telecom offers both prepaid and postpaid packages, with prices ranging from 5,000 kip to 200,000 kip. Its prepaid packages come with data, voice calls, and SMS, while postpaid plans offer additional benefits such as unlimited data and free international calls. Lao Telecom also offers promotions and discounts throughout the year, making its services more affordable for customers.
Customer Satisfaction
Lao Telecom has been recognized for its network quality and innovation, winning the Best Mobile Operator in Laos award by Frost & Sullivan. Its customer service has also improved significantly over the years, with shorter waiting times and more helpful agents. However, some customers have complained about a lack of coverage in remote areas and high call rates for international calls.
Table 2: Comparison of Lao Telecom’s Postpaid Packages
| Package Name | Price (kip) | Data | Voice Calls | International Calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 50,000 | 1 GB | Unlimited | No |
| Plus | 100,000 | 2 GB | Unlimited | Yes, at discounted rates |
| Premium | 200,000 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes, at discounted rates |
3. ETL
ETL, or Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao, is a joint venture between Lao government and Thaicom, a Thai telecommunications company. It was established in 1995 and holds around 10% market share in Laos.
Services and Coverage
ETL offers 2G, 3G, and limited 4G services to its customers, with coverage available in major cities and towns in Laos. Its network quality has been improving over the years, with faster internet speeds and better voice call quality. ETL has also invested in expanding its coverage area, making it a reliable option for customers in rural areas.
Pricing and Packages
ETL offers both prepaid and postpaid packages, with prices ranging from 5,000 kip to 200,000 kip. Its prepaid packages come with data, voice calls, and SMS, while postpaid plans offer unlimited data and free international calls. ETL also offers discounts and promotions throughout the year, making its services more affordable for customers.
Customer Satisfaction
ETL has been awarded the Best Quality Network Award by Ookla for its network quality and performance. Its customer service has also received positive feedback from customers for being fast and helpful. However, some customers have reported issues with slow internet speeds during peak hours and limited coverage in remote areas.
Table 3: Comparison of ETL’s Prepaid Packages
| Package Name | Price (kip) | Data | Voice Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 5,000 | 50 MB | 10 min | 10 |
| Fun | 30,000 | 500 MB | 40 min | 20 |
| Plus | 50,000 | 1 GB | 80 min | 40 |
| Premium | 100,000 | 2 GB | 160 min | 80 |
| Ultimate | 200,000 | 4 GB | 320 min | 160 |
4. TPlus Laos
TPlus Laos is a relatively new mobile operator in Laos, established in 2016. It is a joint venture between the Lao government and True Corporation, a Thai telecommunications company.
Services and Coverage
TPlus Laos offers 2G, 3G, and limited 4G services to its customers, with coverage available in major cities and towns in the country. Its network quality has been improving since its launch, with faster internet speeds and better voice call quality. TPlus has also invested in expanding its coverage area, making it a reliable option for customers in rural areas.
Pricing and Packages
TPlus Laos offers both prepaid and postpaid packages, with prices ranging from 5,000 kip to 200,000 kip. Its prepaid packages come with data, voice calls, and SMS, while postpaid plans offer unlimited data and free international calls. TPlus also offers promotions and discounts throughout the year, making its services more affordable for customers.
Customer Satisfaction
Being a relatively new player in the market, TPlus Laos has not received many awards or recognition. However, its network quality and customer service have been praised by customers, with fast and reliable services. Some customers have reported issues with slow internet speeds during peak hours.
Table 4: Comparison of TPlus Laos’ Postpaid Packages
| Package Name | Price (kip) | Data | Voice Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 50,000 | 1 GB | Unlimited | No |
| Plus | 100,000 | 2 GB | Unlimited | Yes, at discounted rates |
| Premium | 200,000 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes, at discounted rates |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about laos' mobile operators
The best mobile operator in Laos depends on your specific needs and location. Unitel Laos has the widest coverage area and is known for its network quality, making it a popular choice among customers. Lao Telecom and ETL also offer good services and have a significant market share in the country. TPlus Laos, being a newer player in the market, is still expanding its coverage area but has shown promising services so far.
Unitel Laos and Lao Telecom are known for their fast internet speeds, especially in major cities and towns. However, ETL and TPlus Laos have also been improving their network quality and have shown good performance in terms of internet speeds.
The average cost of a mobile package in Laos can range from 5,000 kip to 200,000 kip, depending on the operator and package. Prepaid packages are usually more affordable and come with data, voice calls, and SMS. Postpaid plans have additional benefits such as unlimited data and free international calls but may have a higher monthly fee.
Yes, you can use your mobile phone in Laos if it is unlocked and supports GSM networks. You will need to purchase a local SIM card from one of the mobile operators mentioned above to use their services.
Besides you can purchase online an eSIM in Laos for easy installation.
Yes, all four operators offer various promotions and discounts throughout the year, especially during festive seasons. These promotions can include discounted rates for calls, SMS, and data or freebies such as extra data or international calls.
Final Words
In conclusion, Unitel Laos stands out as the best mobile operator in Laos with its wide coverage area and reliable network quality. However, Lao Telecom, ETL, and TPlus Laos also offer competitive services and pricing, making them suitable choices for customers depending on their location and needs. With the continuous growth and development of Laos’ mobile telecommunications industry, it is expected that these operators will continue to improve and provide even better services to meet the demands of its growing population.
