Lao Voices

I was quite happy to read the news regarding Lao Cable TV company becoming the new internet service provider in Laos. I thought about how I can keep in touch with some of my relatives better if they have access to such service. After the excitement has died down I thought about the price for having cable internet. At the moment we don’t know how much it will cost monthly to subscribe to the service in addition to having cable TV already installed in a home. If it’s like $50 a month then not too many people will be able to afford such high price. My poor relatives who are working and earning about $50 a month on salary will not see the light of day any time soon. They have been saving for years so they can buy a computer as an investment for their children’s future. Well, the good news is that I can always use the internet to share photos, files, and sending emails with the rich relatives.

TV station to give Internet access by cable

The Lao Cable TV company will deliver Internet services through its cable TV connection for the convenience of viewers around Vientiane.

“We’ve already completed the project infrastructure, such as installing the fibre optic cables that will provide the Internet through televisions to cable users around Vientiane,” the Deputy Director of the company, Mrs Thongsy Xaysomboun, said yesterday.

She said she was unable to give more details about the technical aspects of the project or the cost to the consumer at this stage, but she believed all Lao Cable TV customers will soon prefer to access the Internet from their homes.

The Ministry of Information and Culture gave permission last week to the company to begin operating the Internet service on cable for a period of 20 years.

A signing ceremony for the agreement was held in Vientiane on Saturday; attending the ceremony were Information and Culture Minister Mounkeo Oraboun and ministry and company officials.

“Television is developing our society by providing information and entertainment from around the world, which is important for our socio-economic development,” Mr Mounkeo said at the signing ceremony.

The minister added that the signed contract would allow the business to continue developing in accordance with the changing needs of the public and would remain relevant in the future.

The Lao Cable TV company was established in 2002.

“On behalf of the company I appreciate the consideration of the Lao government in giving us this opportunity to invest in the ongoing development of Lao communications and the media,” the company’s President, Mr Pu Zhong Jun, said during the ceremony.

“We hope to continue this good cooperation with the Lao government for the development of the country,” he added.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
March 25, 2008
Vientiane Times - Vientianetimes.org.la