A train traveling from Kunming to Vientiane enjoys an in car internet speed of 460Mbps within China, but may experience an instant internet outage after crossing the border. This numerical gap is being filled. On June 11, 2026, Laos Telecom Public Company Limited signed an agreement with Laos China Railway Company Limited to build a 4G mobile communication network on the 224 kilometer section from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, enabling this railway to truly achieve digital connectivity.

Coverage ranges from 60% to 90%

According to the agreement, Laos Telecom will lease existing mobile communication base stations, fiber optic cables, and related equipment along the railway line for the construction and operation of 4G networks. The project will be carried out in two phases, with a total construction period of 7 months. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, achieving approximately 64% 4G coverage in the open areas along the route, with the tunnel section temporarily excluded. The second phase will be launched in early 2027, and after completion, the coverage rate of the entire line will be increased to 90%, with a user access speed of no less than 3Mbps.

The Laos section is currently undergoing make-up classes

The total length of China Laos Railway is 1035 kilometers, of which 507 kilometers of Yuxi Mohan section in China is a double track electrified railway, and 422 kilometers of Boten Vientiane section in Laos is a single track electrified railway. The China segment is led by China Tower Yunnan Branch, with three major operators completing network coverage. Not only does it achieve full 4G coverage, but some areas can also enjoy 5G signals.

In response to the high proportion of tunnels, a dual flow leaky cable and apron antenna scheme is adopted to ensure seamless network connection when trains pass through tunnels. In contrast, there are still obvious shortcomings in the public mobile communication network in Laos, and this cooperation aims to make up for this lesson. Keywords: China Laos Railway, Electrified Railway

The strategic value of the China Laos Railway has never been just transportation. When the network coverage of Laos reaches the level of that of China, this railway will be upgraded from a physical artery to an information highway, and the digital dividend of the the Belt and Road will be realized.Editor/Cheng Liting