Business Cooperation between EDL and Best Telecom boosts Laos as ASEAN digital hub

Electricité du Laos and Best Telecom Company Limited have signed a cooperation agreement aiming to modernise and expand the Optical Fibre Ground Wire (OPGW) network along the national power transmission system. 
This initiative is a key step in transforming Laos from a digitally land-locked country into a digitally land-linked regional hub.
The signing ceremony was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, and attended by Minister of Technology and Communications, Mr Santisouk Simmalavong, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Malaythong Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Major General Saichai Kommasith, Director General of Electricité du Laos, Mr Akhomdeth Vongsay, and representatives of both partner companies, underscoring the project's national importance.

The agreement was signed by Mr Akhomdeth Vongsay and the Director General of Best Telecom, Dr Rithikone Phoummasak.
The venture involves the use of Optical Ground Wire fibre optic cables installed on high-voltage electricity transmission lines to build a modern, high-capacity telecommunications backbone across the country.
The project aims to upgrade and modernise Electricité du Laos' existing fibre network to attract foreign investment, improve operational efficiency, and create new revenue streams for the state utility and the wider economy.
Director General of Electricité du Laos, Mr Akhomdeth Vongsay, said the partnership follows on from a feasibility study that began in May 2025, when Electricité du Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its partner to assess the use of the Optical Ground Wire system.
He said both sides have now agreed to move forward with business operations by using thousands of kilometres of existing transmission lines running from north to south of the country.

Mr Akhomdeth said the partnership allows Electricité du Laos to maximise the value of national assets while supporting its digital strategy of becoming smart, stable and secure.
"This cooperation involves using the existing resources of Electricité du Laos by converting fibre optic systems on high-voltage transmission lines that span thousands of kilometres from north to south for maximum benefit," he said.
Minister of Technology and Communications, Mr Santisouk Simmalavong, said the project is a concrete step in fulfilling the national digital economy vision for 2021-2040 and the ten-year digital strategy for 2021-2030.
He said the global shift towards digital economies means Laos must strengthen its telecommunications backbone to meet rising data demand and support new technologies.

"The development of fibre optic network infrastructure on the high-voltage power grid will create a strong digital backbone across the country, enabling continuous domestic and international connectivity," he said.
The network will support services such as digital banking, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and big data, all of which require stable and high-capacity transmission lines.
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Malaythong Kommasith, said the project reflects a new development approach by using energy infrastructure as an information highway.
He said the system reduces costs, avoids duplicate investment, and supports trade and investment under regional frameworks, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
The technical solution will use Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, a technology that allows multiple data signals to travel on a single fibre, to build a scalable transmission backbone with capacity of up to 10 terabits per second, according to a report from Best Telecom.
Global demand for compact optical transmission modules is growing rapidly, driven by the expansion of fifth-generation mobile networks, cloud computing, and data centres, making the technology well suited to Laos' long-distance and cross-border connectivity needs.
The planned network will link key routes connecting Thailand with China, Vietnam and Cambodia, positioning Laos as a regional data bridge.
The project also supports public-private partnership models and opens up opportunities for future investment, including green data centres and advanced digital services.
The cooperation between Electricité du Laos and Best Telecom is expected to strengthen national connectivity, improve economic efficiency and support Laos' transition from a digital landlocked country to a digital land link.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update January 6, 2026)