EuroCham Cambodia Explores the Future of Connectivity at 5G Breakfast Talk

EuroCham Cambodia hosted a high-level Breakfast Talk on the rollout of 5G in Cambodia on February 26, 2026, with the aim of building a shared understanding of what this technology can realistically deliver in the short and medium term. The session convened government representatives, telecom leaders, and private sector innovators to explore the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities that come with the deployment of 5G.

The Cambodian Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) officially began rolling out 5G on January 1, 2026, marking a defining milestone in Cambodia’s digital transformation journey.

Opening the event, Martin Brisson, Executive Director of EuroCham Cambodia, noted that the technology represents far more than faster connectivity and emphasised its potential to reshape productivity, public services, and industry, while underscoring key questions on infrastructure readiness, digital trust, and equitable nationwide deployment.

The first presentation was delivered by H.E. Srun Kimsann, Commissioner at the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC), who provided a comprehensive user-focused overview of the current 5G landscape. He outlined Cambodia’s highly competitive telecom market, strong penetration rates, and the regulatory groundwork that enabled a nationwide launch. He noted that over 1,494 5G stations are already live, with operators required to expand coverage steadily in the coming years. He also reassured participants that safety, compliance, and quality standards remain central to the government’s implementation strategy.

“Our priority has always been to introduce 5G in a way that ensures quality, safety, and national readiness," said  H.E. Srun Kimsann. "Cambodia now has one of the most competitive telecom markets in the region, supported by strong penetration rates and a regulatory framework designed for long-term stability. With the foundations in place, our focus is on expanding coverage, strengthening trust, and ensuring that 5G drives meaningful transformation for businesses, communities, and the broader digital economy.”

Muhammad Adeel Israr, Chief Technology and Information Officer at Smart Axiata, delivered a presentation detailing the real infrastructural bottlenecks behind 5G expansion. While early adoption has been promising—with strong device readiness and rapid traffic migration—he pointed to ongoing challenges around site availability, backhaul capacity, energy reliability, and the need for greater local data infrastructure. He emphasised that these challenges represent opportunities for “leapfrogging” if industry and regulators move in alignment.

A panel discussion moderated by Kenneth Tang, Vice‐Chairperson of the EuroCham Digital & Technology Committee, brought together perspectives from government, telecom operators, finance, and mobility platforms. Panelists included H.E. Srun Kimsann, Sharif Lukman Mahfoedz (Smart Axiata), Kang Sovannarot (Grab), and Chim Poly (Canadia Bank).

The discussion explored the long-term economic impact of 5G, use-case development, monetisation pathways, and the critical importance of ecosystem readiness. Panelists agreed that 5G’s transformative potential lies in industrial applications, data-driven services, and digital innovation—but that success will depend on cross-sector collaboration, regulatory clarity, and substantial investment in digital infrastructure.

“Cambodia’s 5G rollout is more than a technological upgrade. It is a strategic opportunity to reshape how our industries operate and how our economy grows," said Kenneth Tang. "What we heard today reinforces one message: progress will depend on how well regulators, operators, and the private sector collaborate. When these pieces move together, 5G becomes a platform for innovation, efficiency, long-term competitiveness and enriching everyday life, not just faster connectivity.” 

Closing the event, Thomas Schings, Vice-Chairperson of the EuroCham Digital & Technology Committee and General Manager of RGX, reaffirmed that 5G marks the beginning of a new era for Cambodia’s digital economy. He noted the country’s encouraging momentum—from local data-centre initiatives to broader connectivity investments—while stressing that collaborative action across public and private sectors will determine whether 5G reaches its full potential as a driver of economic growth.

This press release was supplied.