Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite in Laos: statutory documents, competent authority and legal basis
Who can apply
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ.
Competent authority: The Ministry of Technology and Communications issues, renews, suspends or revokes the internet service licence and approves changes of type, form and activity (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments act within the delegated tiers and issue the fee notices (Art. 32), with the telecom regulator coordinating implementation (Art. 37). A first application is decided within thirty days and refusals explained in writing within fifteen working days (Art. 11); renewals are filed thirty days before expiry and reviewed within fifteen working days (Arts. 13 and 16)
At a glance
Where to apply: File with the technology and communications sector: the ministry issues, renews, suspends or revokes the licence and approves changes (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments act within the delegated tiers (Art. 32). A first application is decided within thirty days, with written reasons in fifteen working days if refused (Art. 11); renewals are filed thirty days before expiry and reviewed within fifteen working days (Arts. 13 and 16).
Steps:
- First settle which kind you want (Arts. 5, 6, 7): domestic internet service may or may not have its own network but must not connect directly to a foreign internet network, and its scope is nationwide, one province, or a specific zone the government defines; international and satellite service carry their own conditions
- Assemble the documents listed in Art. 13 and file them with the Technology and Communications sector
- The sector studies and decides within 30 days of the file being complete and correct as required by Art. 13, and if it cannot issue the licence it gives written reasons within 15 working days (Art. 11)
How long: First application: 30 days from a complete and correct file, with written reasons inside 15 working days if it cannot be issued (Art. 11) — the two periods are different things, one to decide and one to explain. Validity: the temporary licence runs one year, renewable to two years in total; the permanent licence also runs one year and is renewable (Art. 12), so "permanent" does not mean forever. Renewal: file 30 days before expiry, examined within 15 working days; an incomplete, incorrect or non-qualifying file is simply not examined (Arts. 13, 16).
Cost: The agreement itself sets no fee, only requiring in Art. 14 that fees and charges be settled before renewal. The 2021 fees decree (No. 002/PPT), Art. 31, does carry annual internet items by access technology: PSTN dial-up 1,000,000 kip a year; telephone-line dial-up 3,000,000; fibre 5,000,000; cable 3,000,000; power line 3,000,000; wireless WiFi and WiMAX 5,000,000; mobile network 5,000,000; plus an internet information-service centre at 500,000 a year and domain registration at 400,000 a year, and IXP and IP connection charges per month. Two caveats: the satellite line is unreadable in our copy, and the same items appear again with different amounts because the source table’s columns collapsed into rows — so go by what the counter posts.
Statutory document list
Domestic internet service, which may not connect directly abroad
- For a first application, follow the list the authority publishes: Art. 11 points to Art. 13 for the filing, but Art. 13 is expressly the renewal list, and five articles of our copy of the agreement are blank (required)
- A legal entity registered in Laos (Art. 15.1); an individual cannot hold this licence (required)
- A clear business plan (Art. 15.2), later measured: sixty per cent of it must be delivered before the temporary licence becomes permanent (Art. 14.3) (required)
- Registered capital at or above the minimum in the investment law (Art. 15.3); the agreement itself states no figure (required)
- Modern equipment and technology, qualified experienced staff (Art. 15.4 and 15.5) and a maintenance unit with full tools and service vehicles (Art. 15.10) (required)
- A network security system and personal data protection (Art. 15.6 and 15.7), backed by fines of 100 million kip per user disclosure and 50 million for keeping browsing records less than a year (Art. 36) (required)
- Compliance with technical and service-quality standards and with the interconnection and infrastructure-sharing rules (Art. 15.8 and 15.9), all cross-border links following the connection standards in Art. 21 (required)
International internet service with its own network
- For a first application, follow the list the authority publishes: Art. 11 points to Art. 13 for the filing, but Art. 13 is expressly the renewal list, and five articles of our copy of the agreement are blank (required)
- A legal entity registered in Laos (Art. 15.1); an individual cannot hold this licence (required)
- A clear business plan (Art. 15.2), later measured: sixty per cent of it must be delivered before the temporary licence becomes permanent (Art. 14.3) (required)
- Registered capital at or above the minimum in the investment law (Art. 15.3); the agreement itself states no figure (required)
- Modern equipment and technology, qualified experienced staff (Art. 15.4 and 15.5) and a maintenance unit with full tools and service vehicles (Art. 15.10) (required)
- A network security system and personal data protection (Art. 15.6 and 15.7), backed by fines of 100 million kip per user disclosure and 50 million for keeping browsing records less than a year (Art. 36) (required)
- Compliance with technical and service-quality standards and with the interconnection and infrastructure-sharing rules (Art. 15.8 and 15.9), all cross-border links following the connection standards in Art. 21 (required)
Internet over a foreign satellite, with extra conditions
- For a first application, follow the list the authority publishes: Art. 11 points to Art. 13 for the filing, but Art. 13 is expressly the renewal list, and five articles of our copy of the agreement are blank (required)
- A legal entity registered in Laos (Art. 15.1); an individual cannot hold this licence (required)
- A clear business plan (Art. 15.2), later measured: sixty per cent of it must be delivered before the temporary licence becomes permanent (Art. 14.3) (required)
- Registered capital at or above the minimum in the investment law (Art. 15.3); the agreement itself states no figure (required)
- Modern equipment and technology, qualified experienced staff (Art. 15.4 and 15.5) and a maintenance unit with full tools and service vehicles (Art. 15.10) (required)
- A network security system and personal data protection (Art. 15.6 and 15.7), backed by fines of 100 million kip per user disclosure and 50 million for keeping browsing records less than a year (Art. 36) (required)
- Compliance with technical and service-quality standards and with the interconnection and infrastructure-sharing rules (Art. 15.8 and 15.9), all cross-border links following the connection standards in Art. 21 (required)
- Foreign-satellite internet carries three further conditions: the satellite service authorisation, a joint venture with the Lao government and a ground station inside Laos (required)
Renewal, filed thirty days before expiry with fifteen documents
- The renewal application on the ministry form (Art. 13.1), filed thirty days before expiry; an incomplete or incorrect file is not accepted (required)
- The year business and financial summaries with next year plans (Art. 13.2 and 13.3) (required)
- The telecom resource licence (Art. 13.4), for wireless services using such resources (optional)
- Proof of contributions to the telecom development and digital transformation fund (Art. 13.5), also a renewal condition under Art. 14.7 (required)
- The service quality inspection certificate issued by the ministry (Art. 13.6) (required)
- A copy of the current licence and a valid tax compliance certificate (Art. 13.7 and 13.8) (required)
- The relevant contracts if they have changed: joint venture, shareholder, bandwidth, network and infrastructure leases (Art. 13.9) (optional)
- The enterprise registration copy, address and identity documents, the local authority certificate of the office location and the directors and shareholders CVs, where any of these have changed (Art. 13.10 and 13.12 to 13.15) (optional)
- Two 4x6 cm colour photographs taken within three months (Art. 13.11) (required)
Moving from the temporary licence to the permanent one
- The renewal application on the ministry form (Art. 13.1), filed thirty days before expiry; an incomplete or incorrect file is not accepted (required)
- The year business and financial summaries with next year plans (Art. 13.2 and 13.3) (required)
- The telecom resource licence (Art. 13.4), for wireless services using such resources (optional)
- Proof of contributions to the telecom development and digital transformation fund (Art. 13.5), also a renewal condition under Art. 14.7 (required)
- The service quality inspection certificate issued by the ministry (Art. 13.6) (required)
- A copy of the current licence and a valid tax compliance certificate (Art. 13.7 and 13.8) (required)
- The relevant contracts if they have changed: joint venture, shareholder, bandwidth, network and infrastructure leases (Art. 13.9) (optional)
- The enterprise registration copy, address and identity documents, the local authority certificate of the office location and the directors and shareholders CVs, where any of these have changed (Art. 13.10 and 13.12 to 13.15) (optional)
- Two 4x6 cm colour photographs taken within three months (Art. 13.11) (required)
Resuming service after a suspension
- Before resuming, the authority inspects and assesses the corrections made for each ground of suspension (Art. 18) (required)
Statutory requirements
- Two types (Arts. 5, 6 and 7): domestic service, which may not connect directly to foreign networks and is licensed nationally, provincially or for a designated zone; and international service, which owns its network and may connect abroad, including bandwidth import, export and transit.
- Thirty days to consider a complete filing and, if refused, written reasons within fifteen working days (Art. 11).
- The licence runs one year in two stages (Art. 12): a temporary licence renewable up to two years, then a permanent licence that still runs a year at a time.
- Suspension grounds run across Arts. 17, 18 and 19 and include two consecutive years without activity; for several of them the authority must first require correction (Art. 18).
- Fines under Art. 36 are heavy and often per item: 500 million kip for operating without a licence, with immediate closure and confiscation of equipment; 300 million for operating outside the licensed scope; 100 million per user for disclosing personal data; and 0.5 per cent a day on overdue fees.
- The ministry issues, renews, suspends or revokes the licence and approves changes of type or activity (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments do the same within the delegated tiers and issue the fee notices (Art. 32).
- This 2026 agreement replaces the No. 8972/MPT agreement of 18 December 2019 (Art. 38); our library also holds a decision dated 13 December 2019, five days apart, which we cannot confirm is the same instrument.
- Plainly: five articles are blank in our copy of the agreement and two others are mis-bounded, so the first-application document list is genuinely missing here and must come from the authority or the gazette.
- File thirty days before expiry and expect fifteen working days for review; an incomplete file is not reviewed at all, with reasons given within ten working days (Arts. 13 and 16).
- To convert a temporary licence, at least sixty per cent of the plan filed with the original application must be delivered (Art. 14.3), alongside lawful operation, no bankruptcy, completed interconnection, paid resource fees and fund contributions, adequate staffing and compliance with the standards.
Common issues
- The licence runs only one year and comes in two stages (Art. 12): temporary for one year, renewable to two years in total, and after it becomes permanent it still runs one year — "permanent" does not mean forever
- The hardest condition for turning a temporary licence permanent is delivery (Art. 14(3)): at least 60% of the plan set out in the economic-technical feasibility study and business plan filed with the original application
Legal basis (Lao Official Gazette texts)
Excerpt: Article 5 Types of Internet Service Business Internet service business has the following 2 types: 1. Domestic internet service; 2. International internet service.
Excerpt: Article 6 Domestic Internet Service Business Operation Domestic Internet service business refers to an Internet service provider that has or does not have its own Internet network, cannot directly connect to foreign Inte …
Excerpt: Article 7 International Internet Service Business Operation International Internet service business operation refers to an Internet service provider that owns its own Internet network and can directly connect to foreign …
Excerpt: Article 9 Forms and Activities of Internet Services Forms of Internet Services Internet services consist of the following two forms: 1. Wired internet services; 2. Wireless internet services. …
Excerpt: Article 11 Period for consideration of issuance of internet service business license The sector of technology and communication shall research and consider the application for an internet service business license within …
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite in Laos?
Both Lao citizens and foreigners may apply; the documents differ. Competent authority: The Ministry of Technology and Communications issues, renews, suspends or revokes the internet service licence and approves changes of type, form and activity (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments act within the delegated tiers and issue the fee notices (Art. 32), with the telecom regulator coordinating implementation (Art. 37). A first application is decided within thirty days and refusals explained in writing within fifteen working days (Art. 11); renewals are filed thirty days before expiry and reviewed within fifteen working days (Arts. 13 and 16).
What documents are required for a Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite in Laos?
15 statutory items: For a first application, follow the list the authority publishes: Art. 11 points to Art. 13 for the filing, but Art. 13 is expressly the renewal list, and five articles of our copy of the agreement are blank; A legal entity registered in Laos (Art. 15.1); an individual cannot hold this licence; A clear business plan (Art. 15.2), later measured: sixty per cent of it must be delivered before the temporary licence becomes permanent (Art. 14.3); Registered capital at or above the minimum in the investment law (Art. 15.3); the agreement itself states no figure; Modern equipment and technology, qualified experienced staff (Art. 15.4 and 15.5) and a maintenance unit with full tools and service vehicles (Art. 15.10); A network security system and personal data protection (Art. 15.6 and 15.7), backed by fines of 100 million kip per user disclosure and 50 million for keeping browsing records less than a year (Art. 36); Compliance with technical and service-quality standards and with the interconnection and infrastructure-sharing rules (Art. 15.8 and 15.9), all cross-border links following the connection standards in Art. 21; Foreign-satellite internet carries three further conditions: the satellite service authorisation, a joint venture with the Lao government and a ground station inside Laos; The renewal application on the ministry form (Art. 13.1), filed thirty days before expiry; an incomplete or incorrect file is not accepted; The year business and financial summaries with next year plans (Art. 13.2 and 13.3); Proof of contributions to the telecom development and digital transformation fund (Art. 13.5), also a renewal condition under Art. 14.7; The service quality inspection certificate issued by the ministry (Art. 13.6); A copy of the current licence and a valid tax compliance certificate (Art. 13.7 and 13.8); Two 4x6 cm colour photographs taken within three months (Art. 13.11); Before resuming, the authority inspects and assesses the corrections made for each ground of suspension (Art. 18). Competent authority: The Ministry of Technology and Communications issues, renews, suspends or revokes the internet service licence and approves changes of type, form and activity (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments act within the delegated tiers and issue the fee notices (Art. 32), with the telecom regulator coordinating implementation (Art. 37). A first application is decided within thirty days and refusals explained in writing within fifteen working days (Art. 11); renewals are filed thirty days before expiry and reviewed within fifteen working days (Arts. 13 and 16).
What is the legal basis for a Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite in Laos?
Based on Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 5; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 6; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 7; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 9; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 11; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 12; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 13; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 14; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 15; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 16; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 18; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 21; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 29; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 31; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 32; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 36; Internet Service Business Operation Agreement Article ມາດຕາ 38; Law on Telecomunnications (Amended) Article 1. The full texts are available in the LaoPaniti law library, sourced from the Lao Official Gazette.
Are there time limits or hard requirements for a Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite in Laos?
Two types (Arts. 5, 6 and 7): domestic service, which may not connect directly to foreign networks and is licensed nationally, provincially or for a designated zone; and international service, which owns its network and may connect abroad, including bandwidth import, export and transit. Thirty days to consider a complete filing and, if refused, written reasons within fifteen working days (Art. 11). The licence runs one year in two stages (Art. 12): a temporary licence renewable up to two years, then a permanent licence that still runs a year at a time. Suspension grounds run across Arts. 17, 18 and 19 and include two consecutive years without activity; for several of them the authority must first require correction (Art. 18). Fines under Art. 36 are heavy and often per item: 500 million kip for operating without a licence, with immediate closure and confiscation of equipment; 300 million for operating outside the licensed scope; 100 million per user for disclosing personal data; and 0.5 per cent a day on overdue fees. The ministry issues, renews, suspends or revokes the licence and approves changes of type or activity (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments do the same within the delegated tiers and issue the fee notices (Art. 32). This 2026 agreement replaces the No. 8972/MPT agreement of 18 December 2019 (Art. 38); our library also holds a decision dated 13 December 2019, five days apart, which we cannot confirm is the same instrument. Plainly: five articles are blank in our copy of the agreement and two others are mis-bounded, so the first-application document list is genuinely missing here and must come from the authority or the gazette. File thirty days before expiry and expect fifteen working days for review; an incomplete file is not reviewed at all, with reasons given within ten working days (Arts. 13 and 16). To convert a temporary licence, at least sixty per cent of the plan filed with the original application must be delivered (Art. 14.3), alongside lawful operation, no bankruptcy, completed interconnection, paid resource fees and fund contributions, adequate staffing and compliance with the standards.
How much does a Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite cost in Laos and how long does it take?
Cost: The agreement itself sets no fee, only requiring in Art. 14 that fees and charges be settled before renewal. The 2021 fees decree (No. 002/PPT), Art. 31, does carry annual internet items by access technology: PSTN dial-up 1,000,000 kip a year; telephone-line dial-up 3,000,000; fibre 5,000,000; cable 3,000,000; power line 3,000,000; wireless WiFi and WiMAX 5,000,000; mobile network 5,000,000; plus an internet information-service centre at 500,000 a year and domain registration at 400,000 a year, and IXP and IP connection charges per month. Two caveats: the satellite line is unreadable in our copy, and the same items appear again with different amounts because the source table’s columns collapsed into rows — so go by what the counter posts.. How long: First application: 30 days from a complete and correct file, with written reasons inside 15 working days if it cannot be issued (Art. 11) — the two periods are different things, one to decide and one to explain. Validity: the temporary licence runs one year, renewable to two years in total; the permanent licence also runs one year and is renewable (Art. 12), so "permanent" does not mean forever. Renewal: file 30 days before expiry, examined within 15 working days; an incomplete, incorrect or non-qualifying file is simply not examined (Arts. 13, 16)..
Can LaoPaniti obtain the Internet service business licence: domestic, international and satellite for me?
LaoPaniti organises the document list, offers online form filling, document upload and pre-check hand-off by staff. It is not a government filing, does not represent acceptance or approval by any authority, and promises neither results nor expedited handling. Formal processing follows the current requirements of the The Ministry of Technology and Communications issues, renews, suspends or revokes the internet service licence and approves changes of type, form and activity (Art. 31), while the capital and provincial departments act within the delegated tiers and issue the fee notices (Art. 32), with the telecom regulator coordinating implementation (Art. 37). A first application is decided within thirty days and refusals explained in writing within fifteen working days (Art. 11); renewals are filed thirty days before expiry and reviewed within fifteen working days (Arts. 13 and 16).
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