Minister of Post and Telecommunications Tram Iv Tek on Thursday lauded leading mobile operator CamGSM Co Ltd for its progress in rolling out a 5G network in Cambodia.
Speaking at an event organised by CamGSM to showcase its 5G capabilities, he said the technology is essential for the Kingdom’s aspirations of becoming a digital economy.
CamGSM operates under the trademark Cellcard and is owned by the Kingdom’s largest conglomerate Royal Group.
Iv Tek said 5G technology will make businesses more innovative. “With the impending rollout of 5G, there is a lot at stake for Cambodia as a nation, for our economy, our industries, and our people.”
Globally, he said, 5G is expected to increase operator revenues by about 36 per cent by 2026. 5G mobile connections will rise to more than 2.7 billion worldwide as users increasingly rely on the internet of things and big data.
“Today, we have witnessed first-hand the speeds that Cellcard’s customers will soon be able to enjoy. Since the initial tests, Cellcard has come a long way in its journey for 5G readiness,” Iv Tek said.
However, he said, Cambodia must move fast to make the most out of the new technology. “For Cambodia to take a share in that value and growth, our nation must act quickly.
“We want Cambodia to be a shining light in the region for innovation and thought leadership as we realise our government initiative to turn Cambodia into a digital economy,” the minister said.
He praised Cellcard’s rollout of a 4G LTE network in 2017. “We urge Cellcard to continue this success with the next evolution to 5G.
“We understand the great potential for Royal Group in shaping the future of internet service providers [ISPs], broadcasting, digital content and digital payments in a 5G world.
“We appreciate the enormous investment that 5G represents as well as all efforts to increase digital literacy and capacity in the Kingdom,” he said.
Cellcard chairman Kith Meng said the ministry’s presence at the event shows its commitment to supporting the technology and the desire to work closely with operators to bring about the “next industrial revolution”.
“It’s an exciting new chapter for Cellcard and indeed for Cambodia as we realise the group’s vision for a fully digitalised Cambodia.
“We have many synergies within the Royal Group of Companies, in particular the ICT Division, where we are working on what the future will be for internet service provision, digital content and digital payments in a 5G world.
“As a proud Cambodian-owned operator, Cellcard is very excited, and our entire team takes its role seriously in contributing to Cambodia’s future with such purpose and meaning,” he said.
Royal Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry in May last year on collaborating on and planning for 5G rollout and the digitalisation of Cambodia.
Iv Tek said Cambodia has 16.7 million mobile internet users and 215,000 fixed broadband connections.
