Costs of Cable: Laos Ranks Low, Has High-Price Broadband Connections

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December 10, 2018

Depending on where you live or work, Laos can rank among the most expensive places to get connected.

The Internet. We all need it; the faster and cheaper the better.

Mobile connections keep us moving, but the fastest speeds are still to be found via fiber optic cable.

Now, a study looking at the cost of broadband by UK-based cable.co.uk asserts that the cost of getting connected in Laos is among the world highest.

Five most expensive packages in the world

“The five most expensive consumer broadband packages on the planet are found in Burkina Faso ($651.72), Laos ($818.13), Namibia ($1117.87), Mauritania ($1368.72) and Papua New Guinea ($1849.09),” the report stated.

“The expense comes from a combination of extremely low take-up (no economy of scale) and the fact that in most cases the price you pay will go in large part to actually building a physical line to your property since few already exist.”

“These ‘works costs’ rise exponentially the further your abode sits from each country’s main urban centres.”

So while residents of Vientiane capital and other urban conurbations can (and do) expect to enjoy much cheaper deals, Laos’ overall countrywide ranking was hindered (as per usual) by persistent geographic and economic factors.

These include its relatively sparse yet still significantly rural-dwelling population alongside persistent infrastructure, financial and skilled human resource deficits that are being addressed to varying levels of success.

The study did not look at the take up of mobile internet services, which have proved cheaper and more suitable to the conditions as found in much of rural and remote Laos.

Cheapest Connections in Surprising Places (With Caveats)

According to the report, the five cheapest packages can be found from Syria ($2.42), Ukraine ($2.16), Iran ($1.87), Venezuela ($1.68), and Kyrgystan ($1.27).

Before packing your bags to these varied destinations in search of savings, a few words of warning:

“When it comes to cheapest, though, don’t expect a fast (or even in some cases, reliable) connection.”

“For the most part, with Syria, Iran, Venezuela and Kyrgystan all offering relatively slow speeds and somewhat limited availability.”

“Ukraine is the exception here, with broadband that is not only cheap, but also fast – its cheapest package offers a very serviceable 20Mbps.”

The Need for Speed

It’s not all hard news for those of us with connections to and in Laos.

The nation went up 28 places to 98th spot on the average worldwide broadband speed league published by the same group earlier this year.

Laos, Cambodia PMs Agree To Continue Joint Patrols in Disputed Area

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December 6, 2018

Border Discussion as Cambodia PM Hun Sen Visits Laos

The governments of Laos and Cambodia have agreed in Vientiane to continue efforts to de-escalate tensions in a disputed border area.

The agreement was made during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Vientiane yesterday at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

Thongloun said Laos highly valued the visit of Hun Sen and his delegation as a significant contribution to enhancing relationship and cooperation between the two countries in all areas.

The two prime ministers also presided over the signing ceremony of documents on education, cultural and art cooperation, among others.

During their meeting, both sides agreed to an ongoing prohibition on various activities in the disputed border areas with a view to future resolution.

At a press conference shortly after the bilateral talks, Thongloun said both sides reaffirmed their intention to enhance the long-standing friendly relations, cooperation and solidarity between the two countries in the spirit of mutual respect and interests.

The Lao and Cambodian leaders reiterated that Kengtomokhoy-Huaytangao area is an unresolved area where no military forces are expected to be present, no people are expected to live or do business.

The area must be patrolled together by both sides using land, water and arial (drone) means.

The latest visit follows ongoing discussions that have been held to reduce tensions in the long-running dispute that flared up in August 2017 after which Mr Hu. The pair have also met regularly at ASEAN meets including in this year’s host, Singapore.

Official demarcation of the boundary between the two nations has not yet been fully completed since their liberation from colonial rule, and tiffs over border locations have been common in the past, the Laotian Times reported in 2017.

Photo: Lao Post

Going Live: Round Table Meeting Reviews Laos’ Development Streamed On Youtube

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December 6, 2018

Round Table Implementation Meeting in Laos (Images UN in Lao PDR)

The long, winding road to widespread and deep-rooted socio-economic development for the benefit of all people in Laos passed a milestone yesterday with the 2018 holding of the annual Round Table Implementation Meeting of Lao policymakers, stakeholders and partners including the United Nations streamed live on YouTube.

The calamitous collapse of the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy Saddle Dam D that claimed the lives of many folks downstream in flash flooding loomed large in discussions involving hundreds of participants at the two-day meet.

The disaster was among the factors that have seen Laos’ growth rate revised downward from 7 to 6.5 percent with impacts upon the targets in the nation’s 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, the country’s key policy document on development strategy and implementation.

Live-streamed, Plastic-free, Partnerships

The multi-stakeholder meeting was notable as the first such gathering in the country to be streamed live via popular video streaming site Youtube.

This year’s Round Table Meeting was also notable for being a paper and single-use plastic-less event.

Delegates received reusable cups and bottles instead of the usual single-use plastic bottles, and paper printouts were minimized.

The move to streaming of the discussions online comes amid a bid for increased transparency and accountability, permitting the public airing of the many frank, open and inclusive discussions and constructive comments for the benefit of the country and its people.

The importance of partnerships for development was underlined by speaker after speaker.

These included Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Somdy Douangdy, Director and Head of UNDP’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok and UNDP’s Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mrs. Valerie Cliff, and Dr. Souphanh Keomixay, Minister of Planning and Investment.

Heavy Rains Nationwide, Dam Disaster Reveal Risks

“In 2018, the Lao PDR faced great challenges from heavy rainfalls and the resulting flood in addition to the Xepien-Xenamnoy Dam break Incident,” Mr. Somdy said.

“According to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, the total damage is estimated at 371 million US Dollars.

“The Government of the Lao PDR has mobilized all of its available resources into the rehabilitation of the affected areas.”

The United Nation’s Mrs. Cliff highlighted the importance of focusing on the most vulnerable.

“The cruel consequences of major natural disasters repeatedly show that it is the poorest and the most vulnerable members of the communities that suffer the most.

“If we are to be sincere to the objective of ‘leaving no-one behind’ and ‘reaching the farthest first’, our approaches to risk assessment and mitigation must be strengthened in those provinces and districts where vulnerabilities are greatest.”

Fiscal impacts of disasters

The fiscal impacts of were aired by H.E. Dr. Souphanh Keomixay, Minister of Planning and Investment.

“As a result of internal and external factors, in addition to the Xepian-Xe Namnoy dam break incident as well as the heavy rainfalls throughout the country, the Lao PDR could achieve a GDP growth rate of 6.5% for the year 2018, which lower than the expected rate of 7%.

“Despite the ongoing challenges from the natural disaster mentioned above, we are still able to maintain a relatively high economic growth rate compared to other countries in the region.

“In particular, the Government of the Lao PDR is able to maintain political stability, solidarity among its people and stable improvement of their livelihoods.”

Vulnerabilities in trajectory from Least Developed Country

Highlighting the need to address persistent inequalities, Ms. Kaarina Immonen mentioned the results from Lao PDR’s first Voluntary National Review on Sustainable Development, presented at the United Nations in July

“Across all outcome areas of the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, Lao PDR is still exposed to vulnerabilities at many different levels.

“Strengthening its resilience in the economic, social, institutional and environmental domains and addressing disparities and inequalities even more proactively are two core areas that resonate most closely to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is set to accompany heads of development partner delegations to pay a courtesy call to the Prime Minister of Lao PDR to report on the outcomes of the Round Table Implementation Meeting 2018.

Volunteers Celebrated

The contribution of volunteers was also celebrated in line with International Volunteers Day with the contributions of volunteers have been crucial to development nationwide including helping communities get through this year’s devastating floods around Laos.

A Development Exhibition held alongside the meeting provided an opportunity to showcase such efforts.

The role of volunteers is seen as one crucial contributor in building up the country’s resilience to climate-related disasters as a prerequisite for Lao PDR’s graduation from LDC status.

Landmark’s Diplomatic Residential Compound Opens Offering Amenity, Convenience, Security in Capital

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December 4, 2018

Landmark Diplomatic Residential Compound Grand Opening in Vientiane, Laos

The rise of Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in recent years has attracted some high profile guests, including a US president in the form of Barack Obama in the Lao capital for the ASEAN-centric East Asia Summit in 2016.

Now, short and long-term residents of Vientiane can enjoy the stellar location and some of the very same facilities enjoyed by high profile guests with the opening of landmark Riverside Hotel Diplomatic Residential Compound.

Offering a unique combination of convenience, amenity and location in the Lao capital, Landmark Riverside DRC sees a variety of accommodation and views increasingly attracting an international-focused clientele.

Security is also one of the main attractions expected to draw in increasingly safety conscious residents.

The Laotian Times joined hosts, guests, residents and members of the news media in attendance for the launch on Friday, November 30 just ahead of the Lao National Day long weekend.

With a range of residential apartments at various price points being snapped up by savvy consumers and their employers, those keen on living at this unique location are recommended to make the move and enquire at Landmark DRC swiftly while opportunities remain.

Voices of the Wind

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Laotian Times

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November 26, 2018

“We take bamboo and we take trees and we turn them into traditional music.”

– Neng Chue Vang, Hmong instrument maker and musician

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The Wilds of Xe Champhone

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Laotian Times

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November 26, 2018

Savannakhet Province plays its own siren song with ancient Buddhist libraries, remnants of French Colonial times and a significant stupa holding relics of the Buddha. Sitting just to the east of Savannakhet town, Xe Champhone District has monkeys with attitude and skulking crocs.

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MOK PA

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Laotian Times

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November 26, 2018

An authentic, traditional Lao dish that is comprised of steamed Mekong river fish infused with with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, fish sauce and other herbs wrapped in a luscious green banana leaf. The cooking process renders the marinated fish magnificently succulent and buttery, which makes mok paa truly mouthwatering dish.

Experience a taste of Laos by enjoying the delicious mok pa, spicy or non-spicy, with either steamed or sticky rice.

Furball 2018: Animal Love, Welfare Aspirations Light Up The Night in Laos

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November 26, 2018

Furball 2018 for Vimaan Suan Foundation in Vientiane Laos.

Fashionable Folk and Animal Spirits were very much in attendance as the very first Furball 2018 touched down in the Lao capital Saturday with some 150 folk in attendance.

Attendees helped raise funds for construction of a secure fence to mark the perimeter of Laos’ very first sanctuary for aged, infirm and other domestic animals, offering treatment and dignity to felines and “man’s best friend” alike.

In a salute to the effort, an entertainment line up of some of Laos biggest names such as Ola of the band Black Eyes, Aluna Thavansouk and Tot Lina hit the stage with well known tunes in Lao and English languages.

The musical feast was preceded by multiple courses of Crowne Plaza Hotel’s very finest kitchen creations.

Love Me, Love My Dog

Coming out to the strains of 70s British pop singer Peter Shelley’s hit was Aluna Thavansouk.

She also thrilled the charity’s supporters with her version of John Lennon’s legendary Imagine.

You Make Me So Very Happy

Attendees were treated to the rare reemergence of Singapore-bred & Laos-based inspiration Shanaynay, who lent her voice and presence to thrill the crowd.

The smooth voice of Sanonh and the up and coming vocals of Pepsi Song Contest Winner Kob also tickled the fancy of the animal lovers in attendance.

Furry Friends for a Cause

The fundraising Gala supports the Vimaan Suan Foundation’s Sanctuary Building Fund.

Proceeds from FurBall 2018 are be earmarked for Phase One of the construction of the Sanctuary located in Naxaythong District.

According to organisers, “each ticket sold will help build approximately 1 meter of wall that is 3 meters tall to protect the resident animals from predators and dog/cat thieves.

“Additional funds raised will be used to raise the level of the land to ensure the safety of the resident animals in the event of flooding.”