
Get exclusive tech offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
If you’re planning a trip to Laos, a top tip for keeping down costs is to switch to a local SIM card. Take advantage of better tariffs, plans and deals to reduce your roaming rates. Laos has some good SIM card options, but the coverage can sometimes be questionable. You can get 1GB of data from the top telco provider in Laos for just LAK5,000 ($2.10). So, whether you’re a short-term visitor or long-term traveler, you can save money by comparing your SIM card options.
There are four main telco providers in Laos: Unitel, Laotel, Beeline and ETL. Locals and travelers use SIM cards from all four networks, and they can be trusted whatever plan you choose. According to OpenSignal’s coverage map, the signal can vary between providers depending on what province you are situated. All four networks tend to have stronger network coverage around the main towns and cities. It’s advisable to carry several different SIM cards (cheap to purchase) especially for the northern provinces.
All four telco operators are partially or fully-owned by the government. Voice and data rates are similar and within agreed price caps, to encourage lower prices. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers. A starter pack costs around LAK5,000, and comes with preloaded credit. There’s no ID needed when purchasing a SIM card. Credit can also be purchased from official stores, approved resellers or at supermarkets right across the country. Below, we have broken down each telco provider and highlighted exactly what they can offer you during your visit to Laos.
Unitel (or StarPhone) is the largest provider in the country with the best overall coverage. It offers customers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services and the prices and packages are relatively good compared to other providers. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for LAK10,000, which comes with LAK5,000 credit. Once you have registered your personal information to activate the SIM card, a further LAK10,000 credit will be activated on the phone.
The standard default data rate is charged at LAK800 per MB on 2G and 3G, and LAK300 per MB on 4G. The following data packs are also available by dialing the appropriate code in the right-hand column.
2G and 3G: | |||
---|---|---|---|
Until midnight | Unlimited data | LAK10,000 | *209*6# |
24 hours | 25MB | LAK1,000 | *209*1# |
60MB | LAK2,000 | *209*2# | |
125MB | LAK 5,000 | *209*3# | |
30 days | 270MB | LAK 10,000 | *209*4# |
1.5GB | LAK 50,000 | *209*7# | |
3GB | LAK 100,000 | *209*8# | |
Unlimited data | LAK 120,000 | *209*9# | |
4G/LTE: | |||
24 hours | 150MB | LAK 5,000 | *299*5# |
7 days | 450MB | LAK 15,000 | *299*15# |
30 days | 1.3GB | LAK 50,000 | *299*50# |
3.5GB | LAK 120,000 | *299*120# | |
40GB | LAK 1,000,000 | *299*1000# |
Packs automatically renew unless cancelled. Dial *209*01# to cancel 2G and 3G plans . Dial *299*0# to cancel 4G/LTE options.
There’s also a data-only SIM card available called Sim Net, which can be purchased for LAK10,000 and comes with 300MB of data. Once you register your personal information with the provider you will receive an extra 300MB data. The following packs can be added by dialing the code in the right-hand column:
Packs auto-renew unless cancelled, so dial *209*01# to cancel 2G and 3G plans. Dial *299*4*0# to cancel 4G/LTE packages.
Unitel’s APN: unitel3g, and website:http://unitel.com.la
LaoTel is the second largest provider in the country with good overall coverage. It offers customers 3G and 4G/LTE services and the prices and packages are relatively good. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for LAK5,000, which comes with LAK5,000 credit. The standard default data rate is charged at LAK300 perMB. Lao Telecom also offers good Wi-Fi hotspots in Vientiane and other key areas.
Voice and data SIM cards are also available for LAK5,000 and come with varying options, so check with the retailer at time of purchase. The following packs can also be added by dialing the relevant code:
24 hours | 25MB | LAK1,000 | *118*5# |
125MB | LAK5,000 | *118*1# | |
30 days | 250MB | LAK10,000 | *118*2# |
1.25GB | LAK50,000 | *118*3# | |
2.5GB | LAK100,000 | *118*4# |
Dial *123# to check data usage.
Lao Telecom also has a SIM Net data-only SIM card which can be purchased for LAK30,000, or LAK40,000 for a Micro SIM. The following packs can be added:
24 hours | 1GB | LAK5,000 | *131*5# |
7 days | 1.5GB | LAK10,000 | *131*10# |
30 days | 5GB | LAK50,000 | *131*6# |
30 days | 15GB | LAK150,000 | *131*11# |
30 days | 30GB | LAK250,000 | *131*12# |
Add-on | 5GB | LAK50,000 | *131*21# |
Lao Tel’s APN: ltcnet, and website:http://www.laotel.com
Beeline has the third largest market share in Laos, but offers the fastest speeds. There is a 4G/LTE network in the pipeline, however, their 3G service is good. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers and so can credit, which can also be purchased at supermarkets or corner stores. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased for LAK10,000, which comes with LAK5,000 credit. The following packs can also be added by texting the relevant activation code to 234.
1 day | 25MB | LAK1,000 | D0 |
50MB | LAK2,500 | D1 | |
100MB | LAK4,000 | D2 | |
7 days | 250MB | LAK10,000 | W1 |
30 days | 1229MB | LAK49,000 | M1 |
2048MB | LAK80,000 | M2 |
There is also a data-only SIM card available. The following packs can be added:
Beeline’s APN: beelinenet, and website:http://www.beeline.la
ETL is the smallest provider and has the worst coverage out of all four networks. Their 3G platform is extremely limited and they can’t offer a 4G/LTE platform yet. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from supermarkets and corner stores.
The standard default data rate is charged at LAK300 perMB. The following “eNet” packages can also be added:
eN1 | 1 day | 240MB | LAK1,000 |
eN5 | 1 day | 800MB | LAK5,000 |
eN10 | 7 days | 1.5GB | LAK10,000 |
eN50 | 30 days | 5.5GB | LAK50,000 |
eN100 | 30 days | 12GB | LAK100,000 |
eN200 | 30 days | 30GB | LAK200,000 |
eN250 | 30 days | unlimited | LAK250,000 |
Text the relevant eN code to 333 to activate.
ETL’s APN:telnet, and website:http://www.etllao.com
While it’s well known for reviews, booking hotels, flights and holidays, TripAdvisor also has many user comments that can help guide you through the SIM cards that have been tried and tested in Laos.
Here are some top tips from TripAdvisor users:
“We were in Laos last january and we purchased an ETL SIM card. It cost us LAK10.000 and was very cheap to call Europe (France) and to top up ( and so easy). We had no coverage problem and we called north to south, absolutely perfect.”
“We found that cell phone coverage was fine in Vientiane; our phones immediately connected with the network in Thailand across the river.”
“You will be able to buy SIM cards at nearly every shop. If needed for Nano sim cards they will cut it accordingly.”
“Just buy a cheap 'dumb' phone at home to have as your permanent 2nd travel phone. I put my home SIM in my dumb phone when travelling to receive calls and a local SIM in my smartphone for local calls and more importantly data for maps, navigation, email and social networking.”
All networks require you to have a SIM-unlocked, GSM-compatible phone. To double check you have this phone, contact your provider before you set off on your travels.
We've compared over 190 plans from nearly 30 providers to find the best SIM only plans for this month.
Winner, finalists and methodology for Finder Awards 2020 Best Prepaid SIM.
Looking to save a few dollars without skimping on premium features? We've sorted out the best mid-range phones that money can buy.
Australians could save a collective $669 million each year by switching to a cheaper phone plan. 5.8 million Australians fork out $40 or more each month for a SIM-only phone plan, but they could be saving up to $1,080 per year if they switched to a cheaper option. Cheapest plans and bundles for the new iPhone 11.
The Huawei Mate 20 Pro beats out the competition as the best Android phone you can buy in Australia right now, but it has plenty of competition. We've ranked the best Android phones money can buy Down Under.
Flexiroam provides affordable international data plans without the hassle of switching SIM cards.
Pelikin is a prepaid multi-currency travel card and app that could save you money when travelling overseas. Here's all the details of the account.
Save yourself from steep roaming costs with SimCorner's prepaid international SIM cards.
Two 4G/LTE networks offer coverage in the major cities of Tajikistan.
A host of competitive network operators offer great coverage in Sweden’s big cities and most rural regions.