Staying connected in Laos is easy and affordable thanks to several reliable prepaid SIM card providers offering strong nationwide coverage, fast 4G/5G speeds, and tourist-friendly data plans. Whether you are exploring Luang Prabang, working remotely in Vientiane, or crossing borders to Thailand or Vietnam, a local Lao SIM card is the most cost-effective option.
This guide covers SIM prices, data plans, coverage, frequencies, registration rules, and the best telecom operators in Laos.
Basic Information on Prepaid SIM Cards in Laos
- SIM Type: Prepaid only (no contracts required)
- Availability: Widely available nationwide
- Internet Technology: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE / limited 5G
- SIM Sizes: Nano, Micro, Standard
- eSIM: Limited (mainly international providers)
- ID Required: Passport mandatory
- Tourist-friendly: Yes
Availability
Prepaid SIM cards in Laos are easily available for tourists and locals. SIMs can be purchased instantly and activated within minutes after registration.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in Laos
- International airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse)
- Telecom operator stores
- Shopping malls
- Local mobile shops
- Border crossings
- Convenience stores (limited options)
💡 Airport SIMs are convenient but slightly more expensive than city shops.
Mobile Network Frequencies in Laos
| Operator | 2G | 3G | 4G LTE | 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitel | 900 | 2100 | 1800 / 2600 | Limited |
| Lao Telecom | 900 | 2100 | 1800 | Trial |
| TPlus | 900 | 2100 | 1800 | No |
| Best Telecom | 900 | 2100 | 1800 | No |
Coverage & Speed Comparison
| Operator | Coverage | Avg Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unitel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fast | Nationwide travel |
| Lao Telecom | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Medium | Cities & towns |
| TPlus | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Medium | Budget users |
| Best Telecom | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Slow | Local use |
At a Glance Comparison
| Feature | Unitel | Lao Telecom | TPlus | Best Telecom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist SIM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| 4G LTE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Plans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| App Support | Yes | Yes | Limited | No |
| Best Coverage | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Biometric User Registration
All SIM cards in Laos must be registered using:
- Passport
- Facial photo
- SIM linked to IMEI
Registration is handled at the store and takes 2–5 minutes.
Device Registration
Foreign phones usually work without issues. Long-term users may be required to register their IMEI for extended stays.
SIM Card Price in Laos
- SIM card price: 5,000–20,000 LAK (~USD 0.30–1.20)
- Some tourist SIMs include preloaded data
How to Top Up in Laos
Top-up methods include:
- Scratch cards
- Operator apps
- Mobile shops
- USSD recharge codes
- E-wallets
Unitel SIM Card in Laos
Unitel is the largest and most reliable telecom provider in Laos, offering the best coverage and fastest data speeds.
Prepaid Data Add-Ons
| Data | Price (LAK) | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 10,000 | 3 Days |
| 5 GB | 30,000 | 7 Days |
| 10 GB | 55,000 | 30 Days |
Unitel Unlimited Data Plans
| Plan | Speed Policy | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Lite | Fair use | 25,000 | 7 Days |
| Unlimited Max | High-speed cap | 65,000 | 30 Days |
Unitel Feature Packages
| Feature | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Night Data | 5,000 | 1 Night |
| Weekend Data | 15,000 | 2 Days |
Social Media Packages Unitel
| App | Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 10,000 | 7 Days | |
| TikTok | Unlimited | 15,000 | 7 Days |
| YouTube | 5 GB | 20,000 | 7 Days |
Unitel Data-Only SIM
- Available
- Ideal for tablets & hotspots
Lao Telecom SIM Card
Lao Telecom is a government-owned operator with strong urban coverage.
Prepaid Data Add-Ons
| Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | 15,000 | 7 Days |
| 6 GB | 40,000 | 30 Days |
Lao Telecom Unlimited Data Plans
| Plan | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Basic | 20,000 | 7 Days |
| Unlimited Premium | 60,000 | 30 Days |
Lao Telecom Feature Packages
| Feature | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Night Pack | 7,000 | 1 Night |
Social Media Offers Lao Telecom
| App | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | 7 Days | |
| 5,000 | 7 Days |
Lao Telecom Data-Only SIM
- Available in stores
TPlus SIM Card
TPlus is a budget-friendly option with decent city coverage.
Data Add-Ons
| Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 8,000 | 3 Days |
| 4 GB | 25,000 | 30 Days |
TPlus Unlimited Data
| Plan | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 18,000 | 7 Days |
Social Media Packs TPlus
| App | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 6,000 | 7 Days |
TPlus Data-Only SIM
- Available (limited)
Best Telecom SIM Card
Best Telecom is suitable for basic connectivity and local use.
Data Add-Ons
| Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 2 GB | 10,000 | 7 Days |
Best Telecom Unlimited Data
| Plan | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 15,000 | 7 Days |
Social Media Offers BestTelecom
| App | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | 7 Days |
Best Telecom Data-Only SIM
- Limited availability
How to Check the Remaining Balance
- Lao Telecom SIM card, dial *122#
- Unitel dial
*127#. - TPlus dial the USSD code *122#
- Best Telecom click here
How to Check SIM Number
- Lao SIM number, dial *110#
- TPlus SIM number, dial *110#
- Unitel dial the USSD code *110#
- Check the SIM card holder
- Via mobile settings
Official Websites
- Unitel: https://www.unitel.com.la
- Lao Telecom: https://www.laotel.com
- TPlus: https://www.tplus.la
- BestTelecom: https://www.besttelecom.la
Mobile Apps
Tourist SIM Cards in Laos
Tourist SIMs are available at airports and include:
- Preloaded data
- Short validity
- Easy activation
Roaming Data in Laos
International roaming is available but very expensive. A local SIM is strongly recommended.
Digital eSIM Providers for Laos
- Airalo
- Nomad
- AloSIM
- Holafly
⚠️ eSIM coverage may be weaker than local SIMs.
Other Connectivity Options
- Pocket Wi-Fi rental
- Hotel Wi-Fi
- Cafés & coworking spaces
SIM Activation
- Instant activation
- Takes 2–5 minutes
- Requires passport
Customer Care / Helpline Numbers
| Operator | Helpline |
|---|---|
| Unitel | 123 |
| Lao Telecom | 100 |
| TPlus | 110 |
| Best Telecom | 120 |
Best Telecom in Laos – Which One Should You Choose?
🏆 Best Overall: Unitel
💰 Best Budget: TPlus
🏙 Best for Cities: Lao Telecom
Conclusion
Buying a prepaid SIM card in Laos is affordable, fast, and essential for travelers. With excellent coverage, competitive pricing, and easy registration, Unitel stands out as the best choice, while Lao Telecom and TPlus offer solid alternatives for budget users.
For short trips, tourist SIMs work well. For longer stays, regular prepaid plans provide better value and flexibility.