Internet Infrastructure in Cambodia: 2025 Outlook

As Cambodia continues its rapid digitization journey, 2025 marks a pivotal year for its digital transformation. With a youthful population eager for connectivity and economic growth hinging on technological development, strengthening the internet infrastructure in Cambodia is both a challenge and a necessity. This article explores the present state and future outlook of Cambodia’s digital ecosystem, focusing on connectivity, speed, and access disparities, while addressing key issues like the Cambodia internet challenges, and the dynamics of the Cambodian telecom industry.

Current State of Internet Infrastructure in Cambodia

The digital infrastructure Cambodia has today is the result of consistent investment over the past decade. Internet penetration reached over 60% by 2024, with millions of Cambodians accessing the web through mobile data, which remains the dominant form of internet usage. Despite this growth, a significant urban-rural divide persists. Rural internet access in Cambodia remains unreliable, hampering educational and economic opportunities for those in less connected areas.
The internet speed in Cambodia has seen gradual improvement. In Phnom Penh and major urban areas, fiber optics and 4G LTE have become more common. However, nationwide average speeds still lag behind regional counterparts such as Thailand and Vietnam, fueling the ongoing question: Why is internet speed slow in Cambodia?

Cambodia Internet Challenges in 2025

There are several pressing Cambodia internet challenges that continue to hinder nationwide digital equity:
1.    Lack of Infrastructure in Rural Areas: While urban centers have seen private sector investment, rural vs urban internet access in Cambodia reveals significant disparities. Remote villages often rely on unstable mobile networks or satellite services.
2.    Low Technological Literacy: Many citizens, especially in older demographics or isolated regions, lack basic ICT skills, which limits the utility of the internet even when access is available.
3.    Limited Government Oversight: Although some regulatory frameworks exist, oversight of internet service providers (ISPs) is weak. Service quality, pricing, and fair competition remain loosely monitored.
4.    Connectivity Issues in Cambodia’s Backbone: Cambodia’s reliance on international undersea cables, often through Vietnam and Thailand, creates bottlenecks. These connectivity issues in Cambodia result in higher latency and inconsistent speeds, especially during peak usage.

Cambodian Telecom Industry: Growth and Reform

The Cambodian telecom industry has undergone substantial reform in recent years. With more than six active ISPs and mobile network operators, competition has improved services in urban centers. Providers such as Metfone, Smart Axiata, and Cellcard have invested in 4G LTE expansion and fiber optic infrastructure.
By 2025, 5G trials are underway in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. However, commercial rollout remains limited due to infrastructure costs and limited consumer demand. For the ICT development in Cambodia to accelerate, the government must support widespread 5G deployment and incentivize private sector partnerships.

Rural vs Urban Internet Access in Cambodia

A key issue in the digital divide is rural vs urban internet access in Cambodia. While Phnom Penh and provincial capitals enjoy decent connectivity, rural provinces like Mondulkiri, Preah Vihear, and Ratanakiri struggle with patchy coverage and slower speeds.
This divide creates unequal access to e-learning, e-commerce, and digital health resources. Addressing this gap is critical for long-term national development. How Cambodia is improving internet access in 2025 becomes crucial in this context.

Why Is Internet Speed Slow in Cambodia?

Despite regional improvements, users still ask, why is internet speed slow in Cambodia? The reasons include:
•    Shared International Bandwidth: Cambodia depends on external connections routed through neighboring countries.
•    Old or Limited Infrastructure: Many areas still use outdated cabling or weak wireless towers.
•    Overloaded Networks: A spike in mobile usage without proportional backend investment has led to network congestion.
The government and ISPs are beginning to respond to these issues, but a fully integrated solution is still in development.

How Cambodia Is Improving Internet Access in 2025

To address these persistent issues, multiple initiatives are underway:
1. National Fiber Backbone Expansion
The Cambodian government, in collaboration with Chinese and Japanese firms, is investing in a national fiber-optic network that will connect all 25 provinces. This foundational layer of the internet infrastructure in Cambodia is expected to dramatically improve speed and reliability.
2. Rural Internet Projects
Programs aimed at rural internet access Cambodia are receiving international funding. Non-profits and public-private partnerships are deploying satellite broadband, mesh Wi-Fi networks, and low-cost mobile internet stations.
3. Investment in ICT Education
ICT development in Cambodia is being promoted through digital literacy programs in schools and community centers. The Ministry of Education has integrated digital tools into curricula in both urban and rural areas.
4. Smart City Pilots
Smart city initiatives in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are testing integrated internet systems for public transport, utilities, and surveillance. These pilots are expected to yield data that can guide further digital infrastructure Cambodia improvements.

Connectivity Issues in Cambodia: A Persistent Problem

Even as new projects launch, connectivity issues in Cambodia persist. Frequent blackouts, undersea cable disruptions, and a lack of network redundancy continue to plague the country.
Efforts to mitigate these problems include:
•    Alternative Routing: Plans to connect Cambodia directly to new undersea cables without relying on Vietnam or Thailand.
•    Data Centers: Building domestic data centers to reduce external dependency and latency.

Future Outlook: Digital Cambodia 2025 and Beyond

Cambodia stands on the cusp of digital maturity, but significant strides must still be made. Key indicators for the future include:
•    Increased Coverage: With the national fiber network and 5G expansion, both internet speed in Cambodia and availability are expected to improve by 2026.
•    Rural Inclusion: Programs for rural vs urban internet access in Cambodia will need robust funding and policy backing to ensure equality.
•    Improved Regulation: Better oversight of the Cambodian telecom industry is necessary to maintain service standards and affordability.

Conclusion

The evolution of the internet infrastructure in Cambodia in 2025 is marked by promise and challenges. As digital services become integral to education, healthcare, business, and governance, Cambodia must prioritize investments that ensure connectivity for all. From tackling Cambodia internet challenges to improving rural internet access Cambodia, this digital journey is not only a technological necessity but a societal imperative. With sustained effort, the country is poised to make significant strides toward a connected and equitable future.