05 April 2024

Cambodia’s minister of posts and telecommunication (MPT) has reportedly promised that the ministry is preparing to launch 5G technology in the near future to support the country’s digital ambitions.

MPT minister Chea Vandeth said the ministry has been working out policy that will give operators access to the required 100MHz of spectrum to run 5G networks.

According to Vandeth, the ministry is committed to connecting the entire country with 5G, although he didn’t give a timeline for that commitment.

“Cambodia will consider launching 5G technology at an appropriate time in the near future,” said Vandeth.

Cambodian operators Metfone, Smart Axiata and CamGSM conducted 5G trials between 2018-2020, but the MPT retracted their trial licences in 2020 over concerns that it would be wasteful and inefficient for everyone to build their own 5G infrastructure.

However, mobile internet usage has surged in Cambodia in the last few years, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is putting the country’s 4G networks under increasing pressure.