2005/2006
2003/2004

2005/2006
2003/2004

2005/2006
2003/2004

Overview

The application of IT in Lao PDR is only at the infant stage of development compared to other countries in the region. Of to the whole population of Lao PDR, those currently using computers make up less than 1 percent. One could attribute this low rate to the limited purchasing power of the population. However, compared with the purchasing patterns of items such as motor vehicles, motorcycles and televisions, the pattern for PCs seems to be related to not only monetary constraints but also other factors such as a lack of awareness of the utility of PCs, lack of knowledge and lack of skills to operate a computer. Thus, the key factors to overcome here are awareness and training in IT.

At present, the growth rate of computer usage in Lao PDR is low compared to the rates of population growth and economic development. Computer usage is also sporadic and is not promoted through any guided directions or campaigns.

Currently, the educational infrastructure in Lao PDR is inadequate, especially with regard to written material in the Lao language. A considerable amount of existing information is out of date, especially information related to modern science and technology. Lao PDR is thus lagging behind in access to current information. This situation must be addressed urgently.

The present lack of a Lao language software platform does not appear to be a deterrent to the use of ICTs in commercial enterprises and the public sector. Those who can afford to purchase a computer, or are educated and trained to use one, are also reported to be able to read and write in English. As economic conditions continue to improve and government services become more widespread throughout the country, including rural areas, the lack of Lao language applications may become an inhibiting factor.

There are many non-standard Lao character support solutions available in the country. These solutions are not compatible and are not interoperable with ISO/IEC FTC1 and Unicode standards.

Lao PDR was one of the last Southeast Asian countries to adopt the Internet. Its late introduction manifests itself in the limited use of ICTs in the country. Government ministries make little use of the global information network, and the business sector has been equally slow in implementing Internet-related applications.
Skilled ICT experts are urgently needed in the country to help plan, design, install and maintain ICT facilities, including the computer networks which serve as the conduits and backbone for such services.

The following is a list of inhibitors to ICT development in Lao PDR:

• Lack of coordination: There are many areas of overlap and redundancies in current activities to develop the country’s ICTs. A coordination system is needed to manage the limited resources, minimise inefficiencies and maximise development output and benefits.
• Lack of standards: There are virtually no IT standards. Both the private and public sectors use various conventions to integrate ICTs into their current organisational structures. These conventions relate to character sets, software and hardware for LANs, WANs and intranets.
• Lack of IT knowledge and capacity: There is a lack of expertise in the government in areas relating to the formulation, implementation and maintenance of national ICT strategies and policies. At the same time, there is a lack of resources and knowledge in educational institutions for the integration and promotion of ICTs.
• Limited infrastructure: The current telecom-munications infrastructure does not support technologies for high-speed information access. The power supply is also unstable, suffering from regular failures and fluctuating voltage.
• Limited purchasing power: The low purchasing power within both the private and public sectors.
• Localisation issues: There is a lack of software in the Lao platform, as well as a lack of online content and resources in the Lao language.

ICT infrastructure

Universal telephone service is still a long way off for Lao PDR. It is estimated that less than 1 percent of Laotian households currently have a telephone (there are now a total of 48,557 lines in the country). Less than half of Lao districts (58 out of 142) have fixed-line telephone service. Only the urban areas in some of the provinces are covered by mobile cellular signals. There are currently no specific plans for developing universal access to telecommunications.

An AMPS analogue cellular network was launched in 1993 serving Vientiane, and a GSM 900 network was introduced in December 1994. The AMPS network has since. . . . . the complete text of this chapter is available for purchase and immediate download as a PDF file, please click here for more information.

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