LTC: Leading Lao’s telecommunication revolution from the front

Director General Souphol Chanthavixay and the management team of Lao Telecommunication participated in the Ministry of Technology and Communications' Lao Digital Week, an annual national event to show the latest technologies and solutions being introduced to Laos

Lao Telecommunication Public Company is the Lao PDR’s leading telecommunications provider with nationwide network coverage. The company’s telecom services include 2G, 3G, 4G and 4.5G mobile phone connectivity, fixed line and fixed wireless telephone services, fibre to the home internet, international calling, and mobile data services.

As the largest telecom operator in the Lao PDR, Lao Telecom’s network covers well over 95% of the country’s connectivity infrastructure. The venture also has established roaming contracts with all major markets to ensure that visitors to the Southeast Asian country can connect seamlessly.

Lao Telecom is the only company to have been ISO certified since 2013, apart from being the first to implement a ‘Network Operations Center’ that monitors its network on a 24/7 basis to ensure consistent and persistent services.

From common people to corporate and government entities, Lao Telecom covers a range of customers. From staying in touch with your dear ones to having a network that boosts your business connectivity, Lao Telecom has emerged as a one-stop solution for multiple challenges.

Corporate clients have now realized the strength, capacity, reach and stability of Lao Telecom’s network, which in turn, has assured them that they can remain competitive and in touch with their customers and business partners. Also the government entities in Lao PDR back the venture, given the security and integrity of its communication and network infrastructure.

"Technology changes constantly and new advances in technology drive the world and can empower an economy’s sustainable growth. At Lao Telecom we stay abreast of the latest technological advances, and whether it is the introduction of 4G or 5G mobile communications technologies, new innovative technologies form the basic foundation that supports Lao Telecom’s broadband speed and capacity, the very elements that make us the leading telecoms and digital solutions provider in

Laos," the company remarked.

Lao’s A-Z of digital business solutions, including e-commerce, social media and mobile payments depend on Lao Telecom’s ability to constantly deliver on the technology front.

“And that is our mission, to provide the type of solutions that will answer the needs of the consumers, and the business and government sectors,” remarks the telecom giant.

Fintech is quickly becoming an important pillar in Lao’s digital economy. Lao Telecom is also leading the transformation from the front by launching a national e-wallet that has become the largest non-bank payment system in use in the country.

Having an e-wallet is a major step toward Lao PDR’s goals like financial inclusion and fiscal efficiency.

Lao Telecom’s e-wallet, known as ‘M-Money’, is a mobile electronic payment system. People these days prefer making online transactions, rather than having bank/government office visits and standing in queues there to pay their bills. Online payment platforms have emerged as the one-stop, easy solution in the 21st century.

Lao Telecom has responded to this trend with its ‘M-Money’, which also serves the Lao government’s policy of transforming the country into a cashless society, and ensuring that everyone has access to financial services.

Future challenges for Lao Telecom

It is necessary to make the right business adjustments, accommodate new technologies and then select the right solutions for future operational needs, and this whole procedure is very delicate due to the inherent risks of selecting the wrong solution at the wrong time.

The introduction of new disruptive technologies like ChatGPT and 5G internet, and the costs associated with it may impact a venture’s operations in unforeseen ways, particularly on the fronts of business automation and staff redundancy issues. Lao Telecom is well aware of it.

“We will continue to monitor new advances, and already we are looking at the recent wave of announcements about AI technology that may have a massive effect on our daily lives – how will that affect telecommunications, how can we as a telco harness the power of AI, and more; these are the questions of today for solutions for the future,” it remarked.

Lao Telecom also has the challenge to focus on its human capital to ensure that it em-ploys the correct people to drive the implementation of these new technologies. Then the venture will also have to manage its fiscal and scientific resources to encourage creative new projects in areas like AI, big data, and cloud computing, with the goal of enriching customer experiences with technological breakthroughs.

“Beyond our commitment to our customers and partners, the company also has a com-mitment to the nation and society. The Company’s slogan reflects the duty the Company carries toward the nation; Lao Telecommunication, providing telecommunication solutions to the people of Lao,” it remarked.

Lao Telecom: A supporter of knowledge and skills

Lao Telecom has also become a leader in promoting education and learning, and the backing of skills and start-up businesses. In the area of education support, it has been providing scholarships to students at the National University of Lao, over the past quarter of a century. As of 2023, annually up to 25 students receive a scholarship to assist them defray their education costs.

Lao Telecom also supports and participates in events like start-up weekends and makeathons where students can present their projects for further research and development activities. The company has also agreed to support the country’s first public community 'makerspace' to drive innovation and provide a space where idea creators and curious learners can come together to explore, experiment, ideate and create.

Lao Telecom’s mission is to provide a comprehensive range of telecommunications and digital lifestyle solutions at international standards for and to the people of the Lao PDR. It has a constant drive to introduce new technological solutions and offerings to its customers, solutions which will fulfil the latter’s daily communications needs.

Increased capacity, increased bandwidth, and improved speeds are the main advantages of 5G over 4G