Vietnamese military telecom firm Metfone announced it will launch its first 5G technology trial in Cambodia this month after the company on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on the 5G technology, according to Vietnamese online newspaper VnExpress.

Metfone’s announcement came a day after Smart Axiata Mobile Co Ltd announced on Monday that it had begun 5G trials in partnership with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, with Smart Axiata vowing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the technology.

Last year, Metfone installed 100 4G stations along the Tonle Sap River provinces and provided 4.5G LTE service,according to the report.

Telecom Regulator of Cambodia executive director Mao Chakrya said he is not sure when the government will officially authorise the use of 5G, as the authorities are currently boosting 4G broadband service coverage across the Kingdom.

According to a previous report by The Post, Metfone posted an accumulated revenue of more than $2.2 billion during its 10 years of operation in the Kingdom, with its accumulated profit reaching $300 million.

Metfone started offering services in Cambodia on February 19, 2009.