Digital Connectivity in Lao PDR – Lagging Behind Peers : A Short Assessment with Policy Recommendations to Catch Up
Digital connectivity—access to affordable and reliable internet services—has become a key driver of economic and social development globally. Economic activities and government services are increasingly moving online. Lao PDR is well-positioned to...
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| Format: | Policy Note |
| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Vientiane
2019
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/336311549033138864/Digital-Connectivity-in-Lao-PDR-Lagging-Behind-Peers-A-Short-Assessment-with-Policy-Recommendations-to-Catch-Up http://hdl.handle.net/10986/31258 |
| Summary: | Digital connectivity—access to
affordable and reliable internet services—has become a key
driver of economic and social development globally. Economic
activities and government services are increasingly moving
online. Lao PDR is well-positioned to take advantage of
these trends to improve growth, competitiveness and services
provision to the population, but urgent interventions are
needed to ensure that Lao PDR does not fall further behind
regional peers. This note reviews the status of digital
connectivity in Lao PDR and options for improvement,
including the respective roles of government and industry.
The main findings are as follows: By almost every measure,
Lao PDR is lagging significantly in terms of accessibility,
quality and affordability of internet services compared to
other comparable regional economies. Access to mobile
broadband is increasing, but rural and more remote
communities are still unserved or underserved. Actions to
close this digital divide are needed urgently. Fixed
broadband—required for high-capacity data transmission to
support the next wave of digital development—is particularly
limited. Prices for internet are comparatively high. High
capacity fixed broadband services are very limited and
extremely expensive. The minimum retail tariff regime for
mobile, voice and data services may reduce the ability of
operators to differentiate services and compete on price and
service quality. Quality of service and affordability of
internet are continuing concerns which are slowing the
introduction and use of digital services and applications.
Regulatory capacity and expertise is increasing, but remains
comparatively low which is further limiting market growth
and investment. |
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