While Chinese telecom equipment vendors have a stronghold in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Chinese operators are still struggling to gain a foothold.

"Operators such as China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom are keen to enter new markets worldwide, but many markets are now quite mature and it is difficult for a new entrant to make much of an impression," said Andrew Kitson, Business Monitor International's senior information and communication technology analyst.

"Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam all offer good potential, but too many mobile operators have already been licensed, leading to over-investment in infrastructure and a multiplicity of brands."