- 2026-01-16
The three major telecommunications operators in Cambodia will start to deploy 5G networks
ASEAN Headline Phnom Penh, January 1st - The three major telecommunications operators in Cambodia will start using the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) network from January 1st, 2026.
According to reports from Cambodian media, on December 31st, 2025, the Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications announced that to coincide with the New Year celebration in 2026, the three major telecommunications operators in Cambodia will start commercial operation of 5G services at 1:00 a.m. on January 1st.
According to the announcement of the Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, starting from 1:00 a.m. on January 1st, 2026, the three major telecommunications operators in Cambodia - Cellcard (CamGSM), Metfone (Viettel Cambodia), and Smart (Smart Axiata) - will simultaneously launch 5G services.
Cambodia's 5G signal will initially cover the core areas of the capital Phnom Penh and 14 other provinces. These provinces are: Siem Reap Province, Kamrakha Province, Chaktong Province, Sihanoukville Province, Thma Kok Province, Pnom Penh Province, Pnom Thong Province, Borom Mey Province, Ong Sip Province, Pnom Kriang Province,菩萨 Province， Sihanouk Province， Sipong Daeng Province， and Kong Po Province.
The Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications stated that in subsequent steps， the 5G coverage area will be expanded more widely in Phnom Penh and all provinces across the country.
According to the latest data released by the Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications， as of December 31st， 2025， the 5G infrastructure construction of the three major telecommunications operators in Cambodia has taken shape to a certain extent. Among them， Smart Axiata has built and put into use 283 5G base stations； Metfone has built and put into use 220 5G base stations； and Cellcard has built and put into use 200 5G base stations.
The Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications pointed out that the launch of 5G services is a key engine for promoting Cambodia's economic and social digital transformation， in line with the first phase of the "Five-point Strategy" of the Cambodian government， and deeply aligns with the "Cambodian Digital Economy and Social Policy Framework (2021-2035)" and the "Cambodian Digital Government Policy (2022-2035)".
The announcement stated that 5G services will offer many advantages， such as faster internet speed than 4G， the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously， low latency， and improved efficiency in the delivery of digital public services， etc.
The Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications also pointed out in the announcement that 5G is not only a high-speed internet， but also the digital infrastructure of the Kingdom of Cambodia towards the digital future， innovation and new opportunities.
The Cambodian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications called on the general public to actively use 5G services and jointly witness and participate in this lifestyle upgrade brought about by the transformation of digital technology.