Ranking of Fiber Optic Cables in Laos

Lao Telecom and Unitel are the leading fiber optic providers in Laos, with STAR TELECOM CO LTD dominating imports of fiber optic cables.

Top Fiber Optic Internet Providers

1. Lao Telecom (LaoTel) – Recognized as the most reliable provider, offering fiber speeds up to 200 Mbps and average 4G LTE speeds of 50 Mbps. Coverage is nationwide, with the strongest infrastructure in Vientiane and major cities .
2. Unitel – Known for value and strong urban coverage, providing fiber speeds up to 150 Mbps and average 4G LTE speeds of 45 Mbps. Unitel holds roughly 50% of the mobile market share in Laos .
3. ETL (Enterprise of Telecommunications Lao) – Focused on business and provincial capitals, offering fiber/ADSL speeds up to 100 Mbps .
4. Beeline Laos – Provides 4G LTE speeds up to 50 Mbps, mainly in major cities and towns .
5. Sky Telecom – Offers wireless internet up to 30 Mbps in selected urban areas . Average fiber broadband speeds across Laos have reached 42 Mbps, with coverage currently at 45% of the country, supporting both urban and rural connectivity .

Fiber Optic Cable Imports and Key Buyers

• STAR TELECOM CO LTD accounts for 55% of Laos's total fiber optic cable imports, with 100 shipments recorded .
• VICOM TECHNOLOGY SOLE CO LTD and LAO BREWERY COMPANY LIMITED each hold about 13% of imports, reflecting significant market activity .
• Major exporting countries supplying Laos include Vietnam, Ukraine, the United States, and Hong Kong .
• Between July 2024 and June 2025, Laos imported 169,144 shipments of fiber optic cables, indicating strong ongoing investment in infrastructure .

Infrastructure and Coverage

• By 2023, Laos had laid over 98,500 kilometers of fiber optic cable and operates 18 international transmission lines connecting with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China .
• Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services are available in Vientiane and other cities, with plans ranging from 10–20 Mbps at $30–$50 per month .
• Continued investments are expected to expand coverage, particularly in remote regions, supporting the country's digital economy, which now contributes 22% to GDP .

Summary

For businesses or consumers seeking fiber optic services in Laos, Lao Telecom and Unitel are the top providers in terms of reliability, speed, and coverage. STAR TELECOM CO LTD is the dominant importer of fiber optic cables, ensuring supply for ongoing network expansion. The combination of strong infrastructure, growing broadband speeds, and increasing fiber coverage reflects Laos's commitment to digital transformation and connectivity enhancement .