Star Telecom (Unitel), a joint venture between the Laos-Asia telecom company and Vietnam’s Viettel telecom group, officially inaugurated its 4G-network service in Vientiane, Laos on June 23.

The service launch was attended by Lao Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications Thansamay Commasith, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Manh Hung and others.

Addressing the event, Star Telecom’s Deputy General Director Kongphet Nhongvongsitthi said the 4G network covers major Lao cities and provinces including Vientiane, Savannakhet, Luang Prabang and Champasak with plans to expand to include many other localities.

With a higher speed, estimated at 10 times faster than the existing 3G technology, Star Telecom’s 4G service is expected to provide more added value for its customers such as high definition online television and high speed internet surfing.

According to Nhongvongsitthi, the company is the first internet provider in Laos to develop six pre- and post-paid packages.

Since its inception in October 2009, Star Telecom has built a network of over 4,000 base-transceiver stations (BTS), covering 95 percent of Laos’ total area.

With 2.5 million subscribers, the company is leading Laos’ telecom market with a 49 percent market share.

Source: SGGP