Telecoms ministry officials inspect a location before installing telephone and internet service at a protected area in Ratanakkiri province in late October. PHOTO SUPPLIED
A senior official at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications confirmed that currently the inter-ministerial working group had inspected and studied the cellular service quality at some priority targets, natural protected areas and remote tourist areas and have scheduled the building of 100 more antenna stations in the capital and provinces to provide better telephone and internet service.
So Visothy, telecommunications ministry secretary of state told The Post that the inter-ministerial working group, relevant authorities, private sector, and telecom operators had inspected and studied the quality of services at priority tourist destinations in protected areas at 63 locations in 17 provinces: Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pailin, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, Kampot, Kep, Takeo, Kandal, Kratie, Svay Rieng and Prey Veng.
Visothy added that after the study was completed the working group would consider whether it was possible to carry out construction at each site.
The study had the cooperation of an inter-ministerial working group that included the telecommunications ministry, tourism ministry, environment ministry, culture ministry and provincial level authorities.
The telecommunications ministry issued a press release on the construction of 100 additional antenna stations to improve the quality of service at priority tourist destinations and remote tourist areas on July 14.
“This work is in line with what [Prime Minister Hun Sen] said in a meeting with the Ministry of Tourism about mobile phone companies and internet service providers strengthening their quality of service in Phnom Penh and in tourist areas,” Visothy said.
“It is also in line with the mechanism of Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth who has established a working group to improve the quality of services in five regions across the country since mid-2021,” he added.
Visothy said that the budget for constructing the 100 antennas came from the Global Responsibility Fund.
Sok Sambath, a resident in Borey New World Kour Srov 2 in Phnom Penh, said that since the middle of October several ministry employees have been installing telephone antennas in his area.
He said he expected that after the construction finished there would be no more problems with the telephone and internet service quality.
“I’ve seen about three new antennas that have already been installed in my borey, but I don’t have improved service yet. I don’t know why. Maybe they aren’t turned on yet,” he said.
Sambath, on behalf of the people living in the boreys, asked that the relevant ministries and institutions help speed up this work because many citizens are having difficulty with communications with the current level of service.
