State-owned Telecom Cambodia (TC) and Cambodia Fibre Optic Communication Network Co Ltd (CFOCN) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of metro and regional fibre optic backbone networks.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Tram Iv Tek said the MoU will be another contribution from industry stakeholders – particularly the private sector – to the development of the Kingdom’s telecom infrastructure in line with the government’s vision.

“The Royal Government is currently undertaking many important infrastructure projects, including in telecommunications, which create a competitive and inclusive environment.

“The MoU marks another step forward for the ministry in the implementation of the government’s development policy to promote and develop the telecom sector towards an e-government system and a digital economy in the upcoming future.

“It will also open the door for the private and public sectors to maximise their investment potential, potentially leveraging the national and private telecommunications infrastructure and conceiving new projects.

“We hope that Telecom Cambodia and CFOCN will continue to work together and make the project a success.

“Today’s results highlight the contribution of the ministry to the promotion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to further develop, in line with other countries in the region,” he said.

Late last month, Huawei Technologies (Cambodia) Co Ltd signed an agreement with the ministry to provide the Kingdom with the latest ICT equipment and a 5G technology training programme.

Data from the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia shows that 20.8 million Sim cards were registered during the first half of last year, up 9.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2018.

Mobile and fixed internet users increased 31.6 per cent to 15.8 million during the first six months of last year – up from 12 million during the same period in 2018, the data shows.