“Connectivity at its Peak“
Lao PDR’s Lao Telecommunications Public Company prides itself on its integrity as it continues growing a brand consumers trust and love.
As the leading telecommunications provider of Lao PDR, Lao Telecommunications Public Company was established in 1996 and offers a diverse variety of telecom solutions, including 2G, 3G, 4G and 4.5G mobile phone connectivity, fixed line and fixed wireless telephone services, home internet fibre, international calling, and mobile data. The company is a joint venture between the Lao government and Singapore-registered Shenington Investments Pte., with 51/49% shareholdings respectively.
It goes without saying that the telecom company constantly stays abreast of industry trends and technologies in order to keep its customers up to date via new offerings. Over the years, the telecom company has consistently served the people of Lao PDR with new services and solutions, including being the first to launch 3G and 4G services, and the first to launch 5G test services nationwide in 2019. Lao Telecom is also the first to unveil a national e-wallet, M-Money, in 2020, which has now become the largest non-bank payment system used within the country. Recognising the burgeoning of fintech as a key pillar in the country’s digital economy, M-Money facilitates overall convenience as transactions can be done online within one easy platform. It also serves the government’s policy toward transforming the country into a cashless society, making financial services accessible to all.
One amongst 5 telecom operators in Lao PDR, Lao Telecom competes in a relatively small market of approximately 5 million customers and is the largest nationwide network, covering over 95% of the country. To achieve this, the company secured roaming contracts with all major markets to ensure that visitors to Lao PDR are able to seamlessly stay connected. The only ISO certified network operator in Lao PDR further broke new ground by implementing a Network Operations Centre that monitors its network on a 24/7 basis to ensure consistent and reliable service for its customers that is in line with international standards.
Today, Lao Telecom’s clients cover a range of groups, from general consumers to corporate and government entities. While general consumers mostly depend on the telecom company daily to communicate and stay in touch with friends and family, corporate clients leverage on Lao Telecom’s network strength, capacity, reach and stability to remain competitive and maintain contact with their customers and business partners. Meanwhile, government entities rely on the telecom company largely due to its network security and integrity of its communications infrastructure.
Throughout the years of its operations, Lao Telecom has had its fair share of business hurdles within the competitive telecommunications industry. Besides having to consistently keep an eye out for and make sound decisions on the integration of new technologies into the business, the telecom company had to weather a vicious price war between the years of 2010 and 2013 due to new entrants into the market. Lao Telecom shifted its focus on providing quality and dependable services to its customers so as to reacquire and retain them. The telecom company also had to pivot to grapple with COVID-19 related challenges, developing new packages and services for customers while also maintaining profitability amidst high inflation and currency depreciation.
Accordingly, Lao Telecom remains cognizant of future challenges the company may face, such as continued competition within the market and the introduction of new technologies, on top of other technology disruptions that may impact its operations in unforeseen ways. Additionally, the telecom company also indicates economic disruptions and instability from conflicts across Europe and Asia as another potential risk.
Lao Telecom, as a highly ethical business, prides itself on its integrity as it continues growing a brand consumers trust and love. This is also reflected internally through an inclusive company culture. Aside from various employee benefits in line with official labour regulations and competitive salaries, comprehensive training programs are offered to employees at all levels. This includes skill development, skill enhancement, and scholarships for key personnel to pursue master’s degree and PhD programs to ensure that the company is well-equipped at present and in the future to meet existing and new challenges.
With regards to corporate social responsibility, Lao Telecom awards scholarships to up to 25 university students annually across a variety of faculties. Besides that, the telecom company supports nationwide activities pertaining to the environment, and has also been bolstering up start-up initiatives across Lao PDR, working closely with several agencies and private sector organisations to support SME development and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities.
Being conferred as an Industry Champion of the Year by ACES, Lao Telecom further underlines the cruciality of sound corporate governance, CSR, and integrity as requisites for success, regardless of the nature of the business. The award also affirms the dedication of the company’s employees to Lao Telecom’s activities and operations. Further, the award provides an impetus for the company to keep persevering and be relentless in its efforts to ensure continued customer satisfaction, the innovative development of new solutions for customers and business partners, and serve as a benchmark for other businesses who wish to make a positive impact on the Lao business landscape.
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