Research and Markets: Laos - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts - 2012

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ded87c/laos_telecoms_m) has announced the addition of the "Laos - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts" report to their offering.

After a number of decades of having to struggle with a poorly performing economy and a commercial environment that was in desperate need of reform, in the last four of five years there has been a noticeable shift in the outlook for Laos with positive news being reported on many fronts. Most importantly, a significant number of hydro-electric power projects and mining ventures have already become or are moving closer to a reality, with more possible projects in the pipeline. Laos is at last moving forward in what might be described as a confident fashion. It is also moving forward in its efforts to strengthen both its telecommunications infrastructure and its regulatory regime, in its efforts to attract more foreign investment into the sector and in its efforts to introduce the latest telecom technologies. The slowest of these is arguably reform to its regulatory regime, although even on that score progress is being made.

Market highlights:

• The mobile market in Laos continued on its positive expansion path in 2009, with annual growth in excess of 60% for the year; growth was continuing at a similar pace early in 2010; Mobile penetration had reached the important 50% milestone by end-2009;
• With the Lao government having licensed six mobile operators, competition had really heated up over the 2008/2009 period, initially putting considerable downward pressure on ARPU;
• The market became even more competitive following Vietnam's Viettel forming a joint venture with the military-owned Lao Asia Telecom which was rebranded as Unitel in 2009;
• Russia's Vimpelcom brokered a deal in late 2009 to acquire Millicom's 78% stake in Tigo; however, the acquisition was still awaiting regulatory approval in June 2010;
• The launch of Lao Telecom's 3G service in late 2008 had been an important move for the local telecom sector, but by early 2010 growth in 3G subscriptions remained modest;
• Lao Telecom's Wireless Local Loop (WLL) offering has continued to provide some fresh impetus in the fixed-line market, although overall subscriber growth remains modest;
• The low penetration and sluggish development of internet services continues to be a problem for both the local telecom industry in particular and the country in general, especially given how crucial online access is to national growth.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive summary

2. Key statistics

3. Telecommunications market

4. Regulatory environment

5. Fixed network operators in Laos

6. Telecommunications infrastructure

7. Internet

8. Broadband market

9. Mobile communications

10. Major mobile operators

11. Broadcasting market

12. Notes on scenario forecasts

Companies featured:

• Lao Telecom
• Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao (ETL)
• Beeline (formerly Tigo)
• Unitel (formerly Lao Asia Telecom)
• Sky Telecom

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ded87c/laos_telecoms_m