Phnom Penh, 26 February 2026 — Tribe Phnom Penh: EuroCham Cambodia convened government representatives, telecom leaders, and private‑sector innovators this morning for a high‑level Breakfast Talk on the rollout of 5G in Cambodia and its implications for business, consumers, and the digital economy.
Opening the event, Mr. Martin Brisson, Executive Director of EuroCham Cambodia, highlighted the significance of Cambodia’s official 5G launch on 1 January 2026, noting that the technology represents far more than faster connectivity. He emphasised its potential to reshape productivity, public services, and industry, while underscoring key questions on infrastructure readiness, digital trust, and equitable nationwide deployment.
The first presentation was delivered by H.E. Mr. Srun Kimsann, Commissioner at the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia, who provided a comprehensive user‑focused overview of the current 5G landscape. He outlined Cambodia’s highly competitive telecom market, strong penetration rates, and the regulatory groundwork that enabled a nationwide launch. He noted that over 1,494 5G stations are already live, with operators required to expand coverage steadily in the coming years. He also reassured participants that safety, compliance, and quality standards remain central to the government’s implementation strategy.
This was followed by a presentation from Mr. Muhammad Adeel Israr, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Smart Axiata, who detailed the real infrastructural bottlenecks behind 5G expansion. While early adoption has been promising—with strong device readiness and rapid traffic migration—he pointed to ongoing challenges around site availability, backhaul capacity, energy reliability, and the need for greater local data infrastructure. He emphasised that these challenges represent opportunities for “leapfrogging” if industry and regulators move in alignment.
QUOTES
“Our priority has always been to introduce 5G in a way that ensures quality, safety, and national readiness. Cambodia now has one of the most competitive telecom markets in the region, supported by strong penetration rates and a regulatory framework designed for long‑term stability. With the foundations in place, our focus is on expanding coverage, strengthening trust, and ensuring that 5G drives meaningful transformation for businesses, communities, and the broader digital economy.” H.E. Mr. Srun Kimsann, Commissioner, the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia.
“Cambodia’s 5G rollout is more than a technological upgrade. It is a strategic opportunity to reshape how our industries operate and how our economy grows. What we heard today reinforces one message: progress will depend on how well regulators, operators, and the private sector collaborate. When these pieces move together, 5G becomes a platform for innovation, efficiency, long‑term competitiveness and enriching everyday life, not just faster connectivity.” Mr. Kenneth Tang, Vice‑Chairperson of the EuroCham Digital & Technology Committee.
A panel discussion moderated by Mr. Kenneth Tang, Vice‑Chairperson of the EuroCham Digital & Technology Committee, brought together perspectives from government, telecom operators, finance, and mobility platforms. Panelists included H.E. Srun Kimsann, Mr. Sharif Lukman Mahfoedz (Smart Axiata), Mr. Kang Sovannarot (Grab), and Mr. Chim Poly (Canadia Bank).
The discussion explored the long‑term economic impact of 5G, use‑case development, monetisation pathways, and the critical importance of ecosystem readiness. Panelists agreed that 5G’s transformative potential lies in industrial applications, data‑driven services, and digital innovation—but that success will depend on cross‑sector collaboration, regulatory clarity, and substantial investment in digital infrastructure.
Closing the event, Mr. Thomas Schings, Vice‑Chairperson of the EuroCham Digital & Technology Committee and General Manager of RGX, reaffirmed that 5G marks the beginning of a new era for Cambodia’s digital economy. He noted the country’s encouraging momentum, from local data‑centre initiatives to broader connectivity investments, while stressing that collaborative action across public and private sectors will determine whether 5G reaches its full potential as a driver of economic growth.
EuroCham Cambodia extends its appreciation to all speakers, partners, and participants for contributing to a dynamic and forward‑looking conversation on Cambodia’s 5G future.
