Communication in Laos

The telecommunication system of Laos is developed poorly enough - all over the country it is necessary no more than 70 thousand lines. The situation improves slowly enough, therefore the majority of the governmental organisations uses a network of radio telephones for communication with the remote areas.

Public call boxes can be found out in the main streets of cities, in bank offices and large shops. Call boxes from which it is possible to make a trunk call, work on telephone cards ("bat-tolasap", face value from $2,5 to $6) which can be got in shops, on mail and at offices of the telephone companies. It is necessary to pay attention that units specified on a telephone card mean conditional time of conversation, instead of card cost. Because of the high prices for the international negotiations and low face values of cards to make a call on one card it is problematic - it can end earlier, than there will be a connection with the subscriber. Therefore it is recommended to call abroad from offices "Telecom" or from post offices. Calls to Europe and the North America stand approximately $3, in the countries of Pacific region - nearby $1,5-2 for a minute.

Intracity calls for a small payment can be made also from hotels and boards.

The international code of the country - 856. A proceeding international code - 00, long-distance - 0. Codes of some cities: Vientiane - 21, Луангпхабанг - 71, Паксан - 54, Pakse - 31, Саваннакхет - 41, Кхаммуан (Тхакхэк) - 51.

Useful phone numbers

National bureau on tourism - 222-971.

Fire service - 190.
Police - 191.
First aid - 195.
Hospital Mahosot - 214-018, 214-022, 214-025.