Over the past five years, Cambodia has experienced a digital revolution, with rapid growth in mobile, internet, and fixed phone subscriptions transforming the way people communicate, work, and do business. The increasing accessibility of mobile networks and fixed broadband has positioned Cambodia as an emerging digital economy in Southeast Asia. In this article, we analyze subscription trends from 2019 to mid-2024, compare Cambodia’s connectivity growth with ASEAN neighbors, and explore the future of digital infrastructure in the country.
Internet, Mobile, and Fixed Phone Subscription Growth in Cambodia
According to data from the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC), internet, mobile, and fixed phone subscriptions have changed significantly between 2019 and mid-2024. Key highlights include:
- Internet subscriptions: Steady growth due to increasing smartphone adoption, affordable mobile data plans, and expanding broadband infrastructure.
- Mobile phone subscriptions: The number of active SIM cards remains high, reflecting a mobile-first population with widespread device accessibility.
- Fixed phone subscriptions: A continuous decline, as mobile adoption dominates and fixed-line usage becomes less relevant.
Internet subscriptions in Cambodia
Table: Internet Subscriptions
| Year | Subscribers |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 16,350,460 |
| 2020 | 16,614,836 |
| 2021 | 17,872,173 |
| 2022 | 17,608,076 |
| 2023 | 19,663,666 |
| 2024 (June) | 20,007,274 |
Mobile phone subscriptions in Cambodia
Table: Mobile Phone Subscriptions
| Year | Subscribers |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 21,675,523 |
| 2020 | 20,827,435 |
| 2021 | 19,899,790 |
| 2022 | 19,505,294 |
| 2023 | 21,049,636 |
| 2024 (June) | 21,863,609 |
Fixed Phone subscriptions in Cambodia
Table: Fixed Phone Subscriptions
| Year | Subscribers |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 57,438 |
| 2020 | 49,381 |
| 2021 | 40,296 |
| 2022 | 38,284 |
| 2023 | 32,723 |
| 2024 (June) | 32,311 |
While mobile and internet subscriptions have seen steady growth, fixed phone subscriptions have steadily declined, reflecting a shift towards mobile-first communication habits and digital connectivity.
See Also:
Mobile vs. Fixed Broadband Growth: Which is Faster?
Recent Speedtest data (January 2025) provides a clear picture of Cambodia’s internet performance:
| Connection Type | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Internet | 47.06 Mbps | 12.45 Mbps | 21 ms |
| Fixed Broadband | 46.89 Mbps | 47.29 Mbps | 5 ms |
While mobile internet remains dominant, fixed broadband has significantly improved, now offering comparable download speeds with better upload rates and lower latency. This suggests a growing demand for stable, high-speed home and business connections, reducing reliance on mobile data alone.
Internet Growth Comparison in ASEAN
To understand Cambodia’s connectivity progress in a regional context, we compare it with ASEAN internet penetration rates. These figures, sourced from ITU, represent the percentage of individuals who accessed the Internet from any location in the last three months, including both fixed and mobile networks.
Table: ASEAN Internet Penetration by Country (2023)
| Country | Internet Penetration |
|---|---|
| Brunei | 99.0% |
| Malaysia | 97.7% |
| Singapore | 94.3% |
| Thailand | 89.5% |
| Philippines | 83.8% |
| Vietnam | 78.1% |
| Indonesia | 69.2% |
| Laos | 63.6% |
| Cambodia | 60.7% |
| Myanmar | 58.5% |
While Cambodia has made progress in digital connectivity, it ranks lower in internet penetration compared to neighboring ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, ongoing infrastructure investments, improved mobile network coverage, and rising smartphone penetration suggest that Cambodia is on track to improve its standing in the coming years.
The Future of Digital Connectivity in Cambodia
Looking ahead, several key trends will shape Cambodia’s digital transformation:
- 5G Expansion – The rollout of 5G networks will enhance connectivity, supporting faster speeds and low-latency applications.
- Fiber-Optic Growth – Increasing investments in fiber-optic networks will boost broadband speeds and reliability. The upcoming Sihanoukville-Hong Kong submarine optical fiber cable (to be completed in July 2025) will significantly enhance Cambodia’s international bandwidth, making internet services faster and more affordable.
- Smartphone Adoption – Continued affordability of smartphones will drive further mobile internet usage.
- Government Initiatives – Policies supporting digital inclusion and tech-driven economic growth will be crucial.
Key Takeaways
- Internet and mobile subscriptions in Cambodia have grown steadily over the past five years.
- Fixed broadband speeds are now on par with mobile internet, offering better upload speeds and lower latency.
- Cambodia ranks 9th in ASEAN internet penetration, but new infrastructure investments, including the first state-owned submarine optical fiber cable, are helping it catch up.
- Future growth will be driven by 5G, fiber-optic expansion, and digital inclusion efforts.
Conclusion
Cambodia’s rapid connectivity growth highlights its transition into a more digitally connected nation. While challenges remain, ongoing infrastructure improvements and government initiatives will enhance connectivity. As internet speeds increase and accessibility improves, Cambodia is set for a future of enhanced digital access, economic opportunities, and innovation.
What do you think about Cambodia’s internet growth? Have you noticed improvements in speed and reliability? Share your thoughts in the comments!