Lao Telecommunication Public Company (Lao Telecom) is the leading telecommunications services provider in the Lao PDR. The company’s 2G, 3G, 4G and 4.5G network services cover all provinces in the country, while the recently launched 5G service covers areas in Vientiane Capital. Lao Telecom is a joint venture between the Lao Government (51%) and Shenington Investments (49%). Established in 1996, the Company has an existing concession agreement to offer comprehensive services until 2046.
3G Network
The company provided 2G GSM services over the 900 MHz band, and in October 2009 launched its 3G UMTS service over the B1 (2100 MHz) band.
3G Frequency Bands
| Network Frequency Band | Status |
|---|---|
|
Active
|
3G Network Events
| Date | Event | Subtype |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Launch of 3G Network
|
Launch
|
4G Network
A first for the country, Lao Telecom commercially launched its 4G LTE network over the B3 (1800 MHz) band in April 2015, after small scale deployments since as early as November 2013. The company launched 4.5G LTE-A in January 2018 using 2C carrier aggregation, most likely using its two 15 MHz paired 1800 MHz spectrum allotments in CA_3C arrangement (subject to confirmation).
4G Frequency Bands
| Network Frequency Band | Max. Channel Bandwidth | Status |
|---|---|---|
|
15
|
Active
|
|
|
15
|
Active
|
4G Network Events
| Date | Event | Subtype |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Launch of 4G Network
|
Launch
|
5G Network
LTC reportedly switched on 5G services in September 2020. With FSS occupying much of the C-Band it is suggested that LTC use the upper portion of the n77 (3700 MHz) band.
5G Frequency Bands
| Network Frequency Band | Max. Channel Bandwidth | Status |
|---|---|---|
|
100
|
Active
|
5G Network Events
| Date | Event | Subtype |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Launch of 5G Network
|
Launch
|