This opinion piece is from a local newspaper and has been translated into English:



"The quality of telecommunication services in Cambodia is a matter of concern, as highlighted by several factors. Firstly, telecom operators have focused their investments and efforts on expanding high-speed mobile broadband (3G/4G-LTE) coverage in only 70% of the country, mainly in commercial areas. This limitation leaves approximately 70% of the service areas without upgrades to handle the growing user traffic capacity. Furthermore, around 30% of non-commercial and rural areas lack access to high-speed internet.

According to the Telecommunications Law 2015, operators are required to allocate 2% of their total gross revenue to the Global Obligations Service Fund (USO). This fund is managed by an inter-ministerial working group comprising the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The main purpose of this fund is to develop policies and strategic plans to expand telecommunication networks in the remaining rural areas and ensure fair distribution of funds to support network development. These efforts aim to extend service areas and provide benefits to rural communities, thereby narrowing the digital divide between urban and rural areas. Additionally, this expansion would drive the digitization of vital sectors such as education, tourism, public affairs, and other industries, consequently contributing to the national economy.

Unfortunately, challenges persist. In areas like downtown Phnom Penh, big provincial towns, and economic zones like Borey, individuals residing and working there often oppose the installation of antennas and telecommunication equipment. They claim health concerns related to radio frequency radiation, despite assurances from reputable organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Health Organization (WHO) that such fears are unfounded. These individuals often prioritize aesthetic considerations and other subjective reasons over the advancement of telecommunication services.

Moreover, telecommunication service providers fail to comply with quality standards regarding the installation and equipping of telecommunication systems and networks. The sector also suffers from a lack of competent management skills and adequate laws and regulations to support policy formulation, development plans, and effective implementation.

The evolution of technology and digitalization in Cambodia remains somewhat ambiguous, hindering progress. Furthermore, the development and promotion of the internet market through the fiber optic network is still in its nascent stages.

To overcome these challenges and improve the quality and accessibility of high-speed internet, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications should focus on enhancing the quality and coverage of 4G networks and preparing for the upcoming 5G revolution. This would require implementing policies and roadmaps for the construction of digital connectivity infrastructure. Additionally, the ministry should explore options such as leveraging digital TV emission, utilizing the 700 MHz radio frequency transmission, integrating the 3.5 GHz frequency band, and fostering the convergence of telecommunications, information technology, and digital services across various sectors.

Addressing these issues necessitates the active involvement of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, which should diligently examine and ensure accuracy, equity, efficiency, and environmental friendliness in the telecommunication sector. Full cooperation from telecommunication operators, as well as the understanding and cooperation of property owners and managers in commercial buildings and related locations unwilling to install antennas and telecommunication equipment, is crucial to overcome these challenges and drive progress in the sector."

I have found the internet to be strangely selective a lot of the time. For example, I might be on my laptop trying to access websites and the internet appears to be offline, but someone else on the same network might be watching YouTube and not be having any issues at all. This doesn't just happen at home on my own wifi. Seems to happen in many places.

Also, when the internet (wifi) really does go offline, I have noticed that I often can't use 4G either. It's as if the entire internet for the whole country goes down.

Maybe it's just me?

This is my conjecture and speculation.

All 4G carriers and internet providers use the same backbone.

It’s far cheaper for a carrier to convert all the 4G onto an internet backbone, rather than build a full network themselves.

The downside? Without multiple redundant networks, when the backbone goes down, everything goes down.

I also wonder how much new network bandwidth has actually been built, as opposed to end user nodes.

Increasing bandwidth doesn’t pay, but increasing end user nodes pays handsomely.

Just my opinions.

What's the reason for poor telecommunications services in Cambodia?

Greed, maybe.

Cash in, and foster an environment where everyone wants connectivity.
Do the bare minimum to meet the highest density of demand.
Don’t reinvest, don’t spend on maintenance. Respond only when absolutely necessary, to minor innovations from the competition.
Count the small change.