MOBILE operator Star-Cell says it aims to increase its coverage to all 24 provinces by 2009 from eight currently, according to CEO Adam Cabot.

He said that Star-Cell would add three provinces in the very near future for its nearly 100,000 subscribers. The company operates on the 1800MHz frequency.

The base stations would be owned and operated by Star-Cell. Industry sources say a base station costs about US$30,000 to build.

Cambodia's mobile penetration rate is about 25 percent, and has grown by about 15 percent per year, according to industry figures.

Cabot said that Cambodia's mobile market has room for expansion.

"Our subscriber base in growing at roughly 35 percent monthly," he wrote in an email. 

Cabot said that the telecom market in Cambodia is highly competitive, but that growth is expected to increase. The company recently teamed up with Ericsson to become the first-ever company to introduce solar-powered base stations. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY GEORGE MCLEOD