Laos forum

Is it really important for you to use a mobile when making calls? If not, internet shops with attached phone service are probably your best bet (not sure about the prices, but they are a lot less expensive then your UK phone). You may also use a Skype account to ring any number in the UK, check their Pricelist.

In Indonesia, prices for occasionally calling europe were close-to-acceptable with local sim-cards. I do not know the rates in Laos, maybe someone else can chip in.

Due to time differences/boyfriend's work pattern etc, I probably will need to rely on using a mobile whilst I am over there so buying a phone and sim sounds like the perfect answer. I assume they are easy enough to buy/find?!

Thanks guys.

damn, link again in bbcode:
Sim Card and Charges - Laos

On the opposite side of the street from the morning market, and a block or two further down, you'll see big billboard signs above phone stores and a side street filled with phone stores. This is the street leading to the main office of the National Phone Company and the stores seem to have sprung up along the way.

The mostly Chinese and Vietnamese kids working in those places are wizards. They should have you talking on your own phone in half an hour. I like the cheap simple Nokia's that seem to have flooded the market. No camera, no bells and whistles, simple to use, wish I could use it here in the states.

There are many other places but I pointed you towards the biggest best I know of. Others are back of morning market itself, across the street at dalat kua din, or other places.

Just realised the mess with "mobile standards"... So, basically, if you're from Europe, you can bring your phone to Asia. If you're from the Americas - well, it depends.

Does anyone know if china mobile works in Laos? I bought a aim in china and still have adair amount of credit!

Thanks

"I just bought a local phone, cheap. Around ten cents a minute. Phone and sim card set me back 500 baht."

I'm with Somsai here. This is the way to go. Cheap, easy. I bought a cheap phone in Thailand - didn't pay squat for it. Use one to call... painfully easy and very cheap. Calls back to the States cost almost nothing. Laos sounds the same (funny but when in Savankhet I am still using Thai phone service).

Basically you can get a sim card from any of the vendors.

There have been guests asking us this repeated questions so our own hotel sells these cards for the guests where you can top them up yourselves at any grocery stores.

Here are the following cards that you can get:

1. Tigo (costs about $1.20USD for the card and comes with $1.20 worth of call value)
How to Call
Dial 177 + country code + and telephone number
For eg: Autralia: 177 61 XXXXXXXXX
Using 177 will cost you 2000 kip or about ($0.25) a minute.
Tigo comes with free SMS service to Thai and Vietnamese networks.
For a list of country codes refer here:
http://www.tigolao.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=28&Itemid=39

2. ETL
Dial 188 + country code + and telephone number
For eg: Autralia: 188 61 XXXXXXXXX
Using 177 will cost you 1999 kip or about ($0.25) a minute.
For a list of country codes refer here:
http://www.etllao.com/service/ecall.html

3. Lao Telecom
Dial 00 + country code + and telephone number
For eg: Autralia: 00 61 XXXXXXXXX
Using 00 will cost you 2000 kip or about ($0.25) a minute.

Hope this helps anyone who will be going to Laos in the future