Laos gets 3G mobile service

The company's first 3G service covers Vientiane using 20 base stations. Its services include video calling and Internet connectivity for local tech geeks.

The company plans to enlist 30,000 3G subscribers this year and another 70,000 next year. Target customers include the younger generation and businessmen with a modern and busy lifestyle.

Although its initial services cover only Vientiane, the company expects to expand upcountry next year.

Lao Telecom is a joint venture between the Lao government, which owns 51 per cent, and Shenington Investments, with a 49percent shareholding. Thai satellite operator Thaicom owns 51 per cent of Shenington.

Lao Telecom now has 855,000 conventional mobilephone subscribers.

Thailand has yet to award licences for development of 3G services on the 2.1gigahertz spectrum pending completion of licensing regulations by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Advanced Info Service launched a 3G service in Chiang Mai in May using its existing 900megahertz spectrum. Total Access Communication is in the process of selecting 3Gnetwork suppliers before launching 3G services on its existing 850MHz spectrum.

Thailand's mobile operators are expecting to invest about US$4 billion (Bt137 billion) in rolling out 3G networks and services over the next three years, said the GSM Association, a global trade body for the mobile industry.

The association recently urged the NTC to ensure the licensing process was equitable and that the 2.1GHz spectrum was allocated in a way that guaranteed each operator had sufficient capacity to offer massmarket 3G services.

The NTC, which has yet to finalise the licensing method, has said many times it would likely award 2.1GHz licences by auction.