Following Thailand and Cambodia’s single-visa policy, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission in Thailand and Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia will implement a flat-rate roaming charge on cellular services early next year.

The new deal, reported by the Bangkok Post, will allow travellers to use one flat-rate phone plan in both countries.

Thomas Hundt, CEO of Smart Axiata, said he was unaware of the new agreement, but welcomed the initiative that would lower the costs of roaming for the consumer.

Smart has already been offering a flat rate for over two years across 15 countries in Asia, including Thailand, he said..

“The fear of a bill shock resulting from data roaming is a major concern for mobile customers worldwide,” he said.

“Establishing a roaming charge cap is supposed to eliminate such concerns and therewith encourage customers to use the smart phones while travelling in the same manner [as] being at home,” Hundt said.

The agreement will also look at the issue of frequency interference between the Cambodian and Thai border, an issue, the Thai regulator said, was endemic to the region.