A 5th company called Planet online uses incompatible WiMAX standard in Vientiane only and is mentioned at the end of the list.
Frequencies and coverage[]
Note that internet services in Laos, although improved from 2011 had generally become slower by early 2014, probably due to international bandwidth limitations and local congestion. Tourists and others on the move are unlikely to be impressed as speed is somewhat slower than in neighbouring countries while higher quality connections are available to those living close to Vientiane capital.
2G/GSM is on 900 and 1800 MHz, 3G/UMTS is on 2100 MHz up to HSPA+. 4G/LTE is said to have started on Laotel, Unitel and possibly TPlus on 900 and 1800 MHz (Bands 8 and 3) in Vientiane and other cities, but is sometimes not so reliable.
Outside the capital and main cities, where Beeline and Unitel are faster than Laotel or ETL, choice of the best mobile internet service depends on operator coverage which varies between provinces. Unitel now covers most of Laos and is possibly faster than LaoTel or ETL. It's wise to carry several SIMs especially for the Laos northern provinces as they are cheap to buy.
For all providers[]
All 4 mobile telecom operators are partly or fully owned by the Lao government; call and data rates are similar and within agreed criteria to allow equitable revenue share between them. A starter pack normally costs 5,000 kip plus the preloaded credit. There is no ID necessary for purchase.
Buy refill cards for Lao mobiles in phone or roadside shops throughout the country. Validity usually equates to one day per 1,000 kip e.g. 10,000 kip refill extends expiry date by 10 days. Mobile recharge is possible also by ATM, but you may need a local ATM/debit card for it.
To check kip balance on a Lao mobile call 122 or send *122#. To identify a mobile phone SIM number, send *110# from the phone to show up.
Tourism SIMs[]
As of 2020, only Lao Telecom offers Tourism SIMs but the offer was put on hold when the Lao borders closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the website Internetlaos announces the launch of a new Tourism SIM service for the travelers. The platform will allow tourists to pre-order SIM cards and get them delivered directly to their hotel or to their Airbnb.
Unitel (formerly known as StarPhone) is a joint venture between Viettel owned by the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and the Lao PDR with Unitel as brand. Unitel seems to have the most customers in Laos right now, but may suffer from some congestion in the cities.
Nevertheless, it claims to be "the best operator in Laos" with a coverage of 97%. 4G/LTE was officially launched in the capital Vientiane in 2015 and has spread to a number of other major cities and provinces, including Savannakhet, Luang Prabang and Champasak making it the biggest 4G/LTE network in the country.
Note that old 3G SIMs differ from 4G SIMs and don't include 4G access.
Voice & data SIM[]
Their prepaid 3G and 4G SIMs are sold at their outlets (store locator) for 10,000 kip with 5,000 kip and 200 MB balance on it. When you successfully register your ID information, you will be given 1 GB of data valid for 7 days and another 10,000 kip. Default rate for data is 300 kip/MB. These data packages are available for their 2G/3G/4G network:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
24 hours
25 MB
1,000 kip
*209*1#
60 MB
2,000 kip
*209*2#
125 MB
5,000 kip
*209*3#
30 days
270 MB
10,000 kip
*209*4#
1.5 GB
50,000 kip
*209*7#
3 GB
100,000 kip
*209*8#
4 GB
120,000 kip
*209*9#
Daily packages will have the default rate for overuse, monthly packs will be cut off. To cancel bundles, type *209*0#.
In addition to the above, there are two "combo" packages which come with unlimited WeChat/PUBG data as well as IDD minutes to China:
7 days: 1.25 GB and 10 IDD minutes for 50,000 kip, activation: *209*71#
30 days: 5 GB and 50 IDD minutes for 169,000 kip, activation: *209*72#
Data-only SIM[]
Unitel supplies a Net SIM for 10,000 kip with 300 MB with data-only and SMS, no voice. When you sucessfully register your information, you will be given another 1 GB valid for 30 days and an additional 1 GB valid for the first 7 days of each of the following two months. Unitel download speeds are sometimes as slow as 1-2 Mbps, but 3-4 Mbps or more is still possible.
Refill cards are available from phone and small shops, while the data-only Net SIMs (need to be activated) are usually only sold at Unitel offices around the country. Net SIMs are different from mobile SIMs. Default rate is 300 kips per MB and these packages are offered:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
24 hours
1.24 MB
5,000 kip
*209*21#
2 days
6 GB
10,000 kip
*209*30#
3 days
5 GB
10,000 kip
*209*33#
5 days
2 GB
10,000 kip
*203*22#
7 days
1.5 GB
10,000 kip
*209*23#
30 days
5 GB
50,000 kip
*209*24#
12 GB
120,000 kip
*209*25#
30 GB
200,000 kip
*209*32#
70 GB
300,000 kip
*209*28#
To unsubscribe type *209*0#. To get package information, send H via SMS to 209.
A Unitel monthly data plan runs from the 1st to the last day of the calendar month. A monthly plan can be started on any day, but it will end at midnight on the last day of that month. Cost and data is proportional e.g. start on 15th, cost and data allowance will be 50% of the full rate. 50% credit balance stays in the account and can be used for a new plan or to renew the same one (50% top-up would be needed to pay for a new full month). Note that an data plan on voice & data SIM can begin on any day. Free data remaining at the end of a plan period is removed.
At the end of the period, you need to (1) recharge; (2) send SMS LT0 (zero) to cancel the old plan; (3) send SMS LT<code> to start or renew the service.
If a plan expires and is not cancelled, future refill credit may be lost. At the beginning of a new period the account will show a debit balance until refilled with sufficient credit. The current plan will then continue. If for example it is a weekly plan and is not used in that week (perhaps the user left Laos temporarily), new credit will first be allocated to an expired period and effectively lost. This should not happen if you always send LT0 to cancel a plan when it has expired or the data has been used before the validity period ends.
App-Specific Packages[]
There are two sets of app-specific packages, one offering unlimited Facebook and another for unlimited YouTube:
Facebook (for all SIMs):
1 day for 3,000 kip, activation: *208*10#
3 days for 7,000 kip, activation: *208*11#
7 days for 15,000 kip, activation: *208*12#
30 days for 39,000 kip, activation: *208*13#
YouTube:
3 days for 7,000 kip (Net SIM), activation: *208*16#
3 days for 10,000 kip (voice SIM), activation: *208*17#
30 days for 120,000 kip (all SIMs), activation: *208*2#
Roaming (ID such as passport required)[]
Unitel requires your ID (such as passport) to be registered to your SIM to enable data roaming. Once enabled, data roaming in Vietnam (Viettel), Cambodia (Metfone), and Myanmar (Mytel) is available for a relatively low 80 kip per MB. In addition, they offer a few roaming packages for nearby countries, activated using these dialer codes:
Thailand (AIS, dtac, or TrueMove):
5,000 kip for 250 MB for 1 day, activation: *117*5#
10,000 kip for unlimited data for 1 day, activation: *117*10#
15,000 kip for 1 GB for 5 days, activation: *117*25#
Vietnam (Viettel): 50,000 kip for 800 MB for 7 days, activation: *117*50#
Cambodia (Metfone):
50,000 kip for unlimited data for 3 days, activation: *117*55#
100,000 kip for unlimited data for 7 days, activation: *117*100#
Be aware that not selecting the correct operator in the countries mentioned above will result in much higher rates of over 11,000 kip per MB. This is not a problem in Thailand (Unitel does not roam at all on NT, Thailand's fourth operator). In addition, the Vietnam package is only slightly cheaper than the per-MB rate, so it only make sense if you will use the full 800MB.
LaoTel offers 3G access in most provinces. Lao Telecom 4G/LTE appeared first at the ASEM Summit in 2013 and is now available in some areas of Vientiane, with 60 base stations covering the capital area and adjacent suburbs. But you better check if it's working making a network scan for 4G on 900 and 1800 MHz. Lao Telecom also offers WiFi at hotspots in Vientiane and some other areas. Speed claims to be up to 5 Mbps.
An English version of the Lao Telecom website exists now. If in Vientiane you visit LaoTel's Namphou office on Chanthakoummane Rd. or Saylom Head Office, you'll find (or can ask for) staff with reasonable English and technical skills and be able to get service details and subscription costs. However, LTC local and provincial office visits can be difficult for non-Lao speakers. Their app called "M Services" is in English and can be downloaded from Play or App store.
Refill cards are sold all over the country for 5000, 10000, 25000, 50000 and 100000 kip. To top up enter *121*<voucher PIN>#. To check balance *122#.
Voice & data SIM[]
Start-up price is 5,000 kip or additionally the pre-loaded credit. Their prepaid card is also dubbed M phone. Default rate is 300 kip per MB. These packages are available for 3G and 4G:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
24 hours
25 MB
1,000 kip
*118*5#
125 MB
5,000 kip
*118*1#
7 days
1.5 GB MB
10,000 kip
*118*10#
30 days
250 MB
10,000 kip
*118*2#
1.25 GB
50,000 kip
*118*3#
2.5 GB
100,000 kip
*118*4#
To activate data, you might have to enter type *115*11# for 3G or *115*22# <call> for 4G. To deactivate data, type *115*00# <call> and to check data consumption *123#.
Data-only SIM[]
3G/4G data-only SIMs called SIM Net are available separately at 10,000 kip for a micro SIM. They offer these packages on 3G and 4G/LTE:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
24 hours
1 GB
5,000 kip
*131*5#
3 days
5 GB
10,000 kip
*131*57#
7 days
1.5 GB
10,000 kip
*131*10#
7 GB
25,000 kip
*131*58#
30 days
7 GB
50,000 kip
*131*6#
These bundles are hard-capped, so data is shut off. The following bundles are soft-capped, speed will be throttled to 512 kbps:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
30 days
25 GB
150,000 kip
*131*11#
60 GB
250,000 kip
*131*12#
90 days
93 GB
750,000 kip
*131*13#
add-on
10 GB
50,000 kip
*131*21#
Laotel data-only SIM refills can be carried out by a mobile phone: *121*<data SIM Number>*<Refill Card PIN Number># then <call>.
Roaming[]
Discounted roaming packages are available to certain countries (effective rates less than 100 kip per MB will be mentioned below). Activate international roaming by dialing *115*01#, then use the following USSD codes. Make sure to select the correct provider to avoid surprise charges. Unlimited data packages are available to the following countries:
Thailand (AIS and dtac):
15,000 kip for 1 day, activation: *234*66*1#
40,000 kip for 3 days, activation: *234*66*3#
70,000 kip for 7 days, activation: *234*66*7#
Malaysia (Maxis):
50,000 kip for 3 days, activation: *234*60*3#
60,000 kip for 5 days, activation: *234*60*5#
80,000 kip for 7 days, activation: *234*60*7#
Fixed data packages are available to the following countries:
Cambodia (Metfone):
50,000 kip for 1 GB for 3 days: *234*855*3#
120,000 kip for 3 GB for 5 days: *234*855*5#
250,000 kip for 7 GB for 7 days: *234*855*7#
Indonesia (Telkomsel):
100,000 kip for 3 GB for 3 days: *234*62*3#
200,000 kip for 7 GB for 7 days: *234*62*7#
Singapore (Starhub and Singtel):
100,000 kip for 1 GB for 3 days: *234*65*3#
250,000 kip for 3 GB for 5 days: *234*65*5#
400,000 kip for 5 GB for 7 days: *234*65*7#
Vietnam (Vinaphone):
120,000 kip for 1.5 GB for 7 days: *234*84*7#
200,000 kip for 3 GB for 15 days: *234*84*15#
And while the Greater China (China, HK, Macau, Taiwan) package falls above the 100 kip/MB rate limit, it may be of use to avoid the internet censorship present in China:
China (China Unicom and China Unicom)/Hong Kong (3 and CSL)/Macau (CTM)/Taiwan (Chunghwa Telecom):
75,000 kip for 500 MB for 3 days: *234*86*3#
150,000 kip for 1 GB for 5 days: *234*86*5#
300,000 kip for 2 GB for 7 days: *234*86*7#
Packages are also available for Japan and South Korea but the package rates don't justify their use.
Tourist SIM[]
In 2019 Laotel released a tourist SIM to be available in all Lao Telecom outlets. It comes in 3 sizes:
2 GB data and 5 domestic minutes for 3 days: 25,000 kip
5 GB data and 10 domestic minutes for 7 days: 50,000 kip
12 GB data and 20 domestic minutes for 15 days: 100,000 kip
To check balance enter *122#, to check remaining data enter *123#.
TPlus (formerly known as Beeline, before that as Tigo and Millicom) was mostly owned by Veon and is the smallest operator in Laos. In 2017 Veon sold the provider to the Government of Laos. In January 2019 the name was changed to TPlus and rebranded in summer 2019.
TPlus 3G/HSPA+ is available in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Savannakhet. In reality, you can expect up to 5 Mbps; with lower speed phones or modems, downloads may be similar to LTC or ETL's 1-2 Mbps. Depending on location, Beeline offers the highest speeds in Laos. A TPlus 4G/LTE network has been announced for years now, but speed is still advertised as 3G.
Update as of 2022: TPlus is now using roaming agreement with Lao Telecom, so the coverage improved a lot in the recent year all around the country. You can get a data only sim for 10.000 kip, with free 2GB of data for 3 days. Non-stop packages are available (where you will be limited to 512 kbit once you reach the data limit)
Note that the double-up bonus often offered for top-ups can't be used for data, only for text and voice in a limited time. To top-up by voucher enter *121*<voucher PIN>#, to check balance *122# and to change language dial 120 and press 5.
Voice and data SIM
Their SIM costs 10,000 kip with 5,000 kip credit in their outlets (store list).Without a Beeline data pack, data cost is 300 kip per MB. These new "non-stop" packages can be added:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
1 day
2 GB
5,000 kip
*777*107#
4 days
5 GB
20,000 kip
*777*108#
10 days
10 GB
50,000 kip
*777*109#
30 days
30 GB
100,000 kip
*777*110#
To activate, dial the USSD code shown. Packages are once-off. Running out of the data before the package expires will result in speeds being throttled to 512kbps for the remaining duration.
Check for data and validity: Type "C" and send to 799. SMS send to short code is free of charge.
Data-only SIM[]
New TPlus SIMs have been introduced with the option of data-only use called Net SIM. You can convert any voice & data SIM to a data-only SIM by activating one of these Net SIM packs:
Time
Data
Price
Activation
5 day
5 GB
5,000 kip
T10
1 day
2 GB
5,000 kip
N5
3 days
5 GB
10,000 kip
AW
7 days
3 GB
10,000 kip
N10
30 days
10 GB
50,000 kip
N50
For activation text code to 234. All packages autorenew. To stop, text "DER"<blank> <activation code> to 234.
Note that a TPlus SIM that has been converted to data-only use can't be changed back to voice. A day is 0.00-24.00h local time. Default rate for overuse is 300 kip per MB.
Update as of 2022: There are new data packages available. To activate a new sim card, dial *121# and *503#, if you got confirmation on both, you have to reconnect your phone to the network (turn off/on), otherwise you wont have 4G connectivity. APN is internet or lte4g
Packages and rates (** 40GB package limits the speed to 512kbit once the data is used up)
*777*150#
30 days
40GB **
50.000 kip
*777*104#
7 days
2GB
10.000 kip
*777*107#
2 days
1GB
5.000 kip
*777*108#
4 days
5GB
20.000 kip
Roaming[]
TPlus has low per-MB rates for roaming to selected countries:
Thailand (dtac): 50 kip/MB
South Korea (SK Telecom): 60 kip/MB
Canada (Telus): 100 kip/MB
Russia (Beeline): 150 kip/MB
Roaming in other countries ranges from 900 to over 200,000 kip per MB.
More Info[]
to activate international roaming, text "ON" to 232
ETL for Enterprise of Communications Laos Ltd. has a limited 3G network in Laos. So check coverage on location first, before you buy a SIM card. SIMs cards are again for voice and data, data-only and "unlimited" data. Simple to use, limited-only data plans for days up to one month. Speeds are similar to Lao Telecom, but coverage is lower and there is no 4G/LTE yet.
Voice & data SIM[]
Default rate outside of packages is 300 kip per MB. Their data packages are called "eNet" in up to 4 Mbits:
Data
Time
Price
Activation
240 MB
1 day
1,000 kip
eN1
800 MB
5,000 kip
eN5
1.5 GB
7 days
10,000 kip
eN10
5.5 GB
30 days
50,000 kip
eN50
12 GB
100,000 kip
eN100
30 GB
200,000 kip
eN200
To activate text code to 333. Packages don't renew automatically. In shops the additionally offer their "eNet 2Teen" plan with unlimited data on a calendar day (0-24h) for 4,000 kip. To check data, text '122' to 333,
Roaming[]
ETL only publishes per-MB roaming rates on its own website, and makes you go to their Facebook page to find promotional rates.
Currently, the only promotional packages are for Thailand, valid on TrueMove, AIS, and dtac. Activate using the provided USSD codes.
700 MB for 1 day for 15,000 kip : *228*101#
2.5 GB for 3 days for 40,000 kip : *228*103#
5 GB for 7 days for 70,000 kip : *228*107#
10 GB for 10 days for 150,000 kip: *228*110#
Low per-MB rates (100 kip per MB or less) are available to the following countries:
Cambodia (Smart Axiata): 34 kip/MB
Cyprus (Epic): 63.4 kip/MB
Ireland (Meteor): 78 kip/MB
Liechtenstein (Salt): 63.4 kip/MB
Malaysia (Digi): 37.6 kip/MB
Malta (Epic): 63.4 kip/MB
Myanmar (ATOM): 39 kip/MB
Oman (Omantel): 67 kip/MB
Russia (Beeline): 4.7 kip/MB
Singapore (Starhub): 80 kip/MB
Sri Lanka (Mobitel): 80 kip/MB
Switzerland (Salt): 63.4 kip/MB
Thailand (AIS): 27 kip/MB
United Kingdom (3): 100 kip/MB
Vietnam (Mobifone): 34 kip/MB
Activate roaming by sending a SMS with the number 15 to 122. Make sure to select the right network for each country; in some countries there is a significant price difference between operators (for example, choosing Primetel in Cyprus instead of Epic will result in a rate of 84,500 kip per MB instead of 63.4).
