Lao Telecom launches first 3G service in Vientiane

Published: 20 Oct 2008 00:57:38 PST

BANGKOK, Oct 20 - Lao Telecommunications Co. Ltd, an affiliate of Thaicom <THCOM.BK>, said on Monday it had launched a third generation mobile phone service in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and planned to expand into the regions in 2009.

Lao Telecom, the first operator to launch a 3G service in the country, said in a statement it expected 3G subscribers to number 30,000 by the end of 2008 and 100,000 in 2009. Its target customers are young people and business people.

The company is 51 percent owned by the Lao government, while satellite and telecoms firm Thaicom has a 49 percent stake via an invest ment firm, Shenington Invest ments.

At the midday break, Thaicom shares were up 1.32 percent at 3.08 baht, in line with a 1.11 percent rise in the overall Thai stock market <.SETI>.