THE EGM ON ICT DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCING COOPERATION FOR REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY

BANGKOK, 22-24 NOVEMBER 2010

ICT Development status in Lao PDR

By: Mr. Chaleun SibounheuangNational Authority of Post and Telecommunications

CONTENTS

I. ICT Policy and Regulation in Lao PDRII. Telecommunications Network and Market

Structure III. Frequency Spectrum ManagementIV. Summary

COUNTRY PROFILE

Capital Vientiane Area 236 800 sq km Population 5.7 millionUrban population 30 % GDP per capita US$ 900Currency KipTelecom and InternetFixed lines: 106106 sub. sub. Mobile (GSM): 3 819929 sub.CDMA/WLL: 29570 sub. .

Teledensity: 67%Teledensity: 67%Internet: Internet: 17 486 users17 486 users

TELECOMMUNICATION POLICY OBJECTIVE

To increase the deployment of national telecommunications infrastructure especially in regional and remote areas;To provide a financially viable telecommunications sector conducive to sustainable investment in telecommunications infrastructure by the private and public sector as well as aid agencies;To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of telecom servicedelivery to end users; To cost effectively satisfy end user demand for telecom services at affordable prices; andTo strengthen regulatory capability and skill sets within Government so as to ensure a high standard of sector governance and oversight of market participants.

I. ICT POLICY AND REGULATION IN LAO PDR Currently, Lao PDR’s telecommunications and ICT sector is regulated by the Law on Telecommunications 2001. In addition, the Decree on Trade Competition and the Decree on Organization and Operation of National Authority of Post and Telecommunications (NAPT) are also applicable.To provide effective governance and supervision of the telecommunications and ICT sector given globaldevelopments in telecommunications and ICT technologies and policies. A new draft Law on Telecommunications and the ICT has

been developed which will replace the old legislation with a modern regulatory framework which recognises technology convergence, and consistent with global and regional standards.The draft new Law on Telecommunications and ICT has passed the internal approval and will submit to the National Assembly conference for adoption in March 2011.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF NAPT

National Authority of Posts and Telecommunications(NAPT)

Dept. Posts Dept. Telecom and InternetCabinet office Dept. Planning

& Cooperation

NAPT Provincial Division/ Office

Institute of P&T

The NAPT is responsible for the day-to-dayregulation of the telecommunications and ICTsector including licensing, the regulation offrequency spectrum, numbering and electronicaddressing, technical regulation and unlawful useof telecommunications networks. The NAPT may direct a licensee to comply with theprovisions of the Law, licences or other subordinateInstrumentsThe NAPT may, with the approval of the Minister, issue regulations and/or notifications on any matter specified as being subject to the NAPT’s regulations and/or notifications under the Law. The NAPT may further issue regulations and/ornotifications as it considers necessary.

II. Telecommunications network and Market Structure

Telecommunication Operators

1). Lao Telecom Co. Ltd (LTC):Fixed lines, Mobile telephone,Wireless LocalLoop and Internet Service, Internationaltelephone

2). Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao (ETL)Fixed lines, Mobile telephone, InternetService and, International telephone

3). Millicom Lao Co.Ltd (MLL)Prepaid Mobile telephone, InternetService

4). Star Telecom Fixed lines, Mobile telephone,Internet Service

Fixed lines subcribers

93,786 95,867 97,768 99,413

135,676

90,806

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

160000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

as of Sept 2010

Mobile subcribers

1,230,0301,450,100

2,022,133

2,677,405

3,819,929

657,528

0500000

10000001500000200000025000003000000350000040000004500000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

as of Sept 2010

Current market share

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERSINTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS

NAST : National Authority of Science and Technology

No Company Services

1 Lao Telecom Co.Ltd Fixed, mobile and Internet2 Enterprise of Telecom Lao Fixed, mobile and Internet3 Star Telecom co.,Ltd Fixed, mobile and Internet4 Millicom Lao Co.Ltd mobile and Internet (WiMax)5 Skytel & Net Co.Ltd Internet (WiMax)6 Plannet Co.Ltd Internet (WiMax)7 LanexangInternet Co.Ltd Internet (WiMax)8 NAST Internet9 ChampalaoInternet Co.Ltd Internet

TOTAL NUMBER OF INTERNET LINETOTAL NUMBER OF INTERNET LINE

17,48615,631

13,376

5,4874,051 4,638

02000400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

as of Sept 2010

III. FREQUENCY SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT

The NAPT is responsible for the overall management of spectrum and is empowered to develop a national frequency spectrum plan which may include the existing and planned frequency allocation and reservation, and the process for allocation and reallocation of the spectrum.The requirement to develop a frequency spectrum plan is designed to ensure the efficiency of spectrum allocations and compliance with relevant international conventions, standards and agreements.

SPECTRUM PLANNING AND ASSIGNMENTS

Bands used globally for commercial networks:GSM technology: GSM 900 MHz, GSM 1800 MHz, E-GSMCDMA technology: CDMA 800 MHz, CDMA 1900 MHz, CDMA 450 MHz3G/ IMT-2000 : 1900-2200 MHz band, 2300-2400 MHz, 2500-2690 MHz band

In LaosRadio Spectrum for both main technologies like GSM, CDMA is grantedGSM:

GSM 900 MHz and GSM 1800 MHzCurrent assignment of spectrum 2x6 MHz/operator in GSM900 and 2x15 MHz/operator in 1800 MHz to facilitate their development and services

GSM 850 MHz (824 – 849 / 869 – 894 MHz) : also 2x7 MHz granted to LTCCDMA :

CDMA 800 MHz (824 – 849 / 869 – 894 MHz) and CDMA 450 MHz (450 – 457.5 / 460 – 467.5 MHz)

GSM vs. CDMA in 800 MHz band

3G PLANNING AND ASSIGNMENTS

Frequency band

Assigned Freq Bandwidth Licensee Remark

2500 – 2518 MHz 18 MHz LX Internet Paired Frequency2672 – 2690 MHz 18 MHz LX Internet Paired Frequency2520 – 2530 MHz 10 MHz Millicom TDD

2530 – 2550 MHz 20 MHz Millicom Paired Frequency2650 – 2670 MHz 20 MHz Millicom Paired Frequency2550 – 2580 MHz 30 MHz Planet2585 – 2615 MHz 30 MHz Sky Tel

2.5 GHz(2500–2690 MHz)

2620 – 2645 MHz 25 MHz Not yet3400 – 3450 MHz 30 MHz Sky Tel3455 – 3485 MHz 30 MHz NAST E- Govt. project

3.5 GHz(3400–3600

MHz)

2.5 GHz band: 2500 – 2690 MHz3.5 GHz band: 3400 – 3600 MHz

IV. SUMMARY

ICT in Lao PDR is under developing and a lot of works/efforts are needed for the successful of the development We continue open up the industry to facilitate partnership and inward investment opportunities in order to play our part in the growth of the region.Critical to this is not just capital investment but the transfer of skills and capabilities is so critical to development of sustainable ICT sector in Lao PDR. Training and Capacity-building at all levels are necessaryAssistance and consultancy on ICT development and Policy with other countries and International organizations are required to fulfill our objectives