Cambodia to roll out 5G mobile services from Jan. 1, 2026

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia will launch the fifth generation (5G) mobile services, starting from Jan. 1, 2026 onwards, said a press release from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications on Wednesday.

The press release said three major mobile phone operators, namely Cellcard (CamGSM), Metfone (Viettel Cambodia), and Smart (Smart Axiata), have built telecommunications antenna stations and installed 5G network equipment at those locations.

"In the celebration of the New Year, the users of the three mobile operators will be able to start using 5G services from 00:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026 onwards," the press release said.

In the first phase, the 5G services would be available in the capital Phnom Penh and some key areas in Siem Reap, Kandal, Svay Rieng, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Prey Veng, Kratie, Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Preah Sihanouk, Stung Treng, and Kampot, it added.

The press release added that in the next phases, the 5G services would be expanded to other provinces across the Southeast Asian country.

"The 5G services will make a significant contribution to promoting digital transformation in the economy and society, providing principal advantages such as faster internet speeds than 4G, multiple simultaneous connections, low latency, and improved efficiency in the provision of digital public services," it said.

"The 5G services are not just a high-speed internet, but a digital infrastructure for Cambodia's digital future, innovation, and new opportunities," it added.

Cambodia has about 19.6 million internet subscribers and roughly 20.6 million mobile phone users, according to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.

The number of internet subscribers and mobile phone users surpassed the nation's total population of 17 million because some individuals subscribed to multiple internet or telephone services. ■