VIENTIANE - Laos is to complete the installation of its first underground national fibre-optic network this month, to compete with private overground networks, media reports said Tuesday.
The state-funded infrastructure project under the Defence Ministry already provides its service to ministries and government offices in the capital and eight of Laos' 18 provinces, the Vientiane Times said.
''The remaining provinces, except Xaisomboun, are expected to be able to use the network after the completion slated for the end of this month,'' the government mouthpiece said.
No reason was given for the exclusion of Xaisomboun, a new province designated in December, which neighbours Vientiane to the north.
The underground network is expected to generate ``considerable revenues for the state budget'' by expanding its client base to private companies, the Vientiane Times said.
It will compete with existing above-ground fibre-optic networks run by private investors.