Technicians install telecommunications equipment on a tower in Phnom Penh. Post staff
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has reported that over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the ministry earned approximately $628 million, a 341% increase over the previous five-year period.
One tech insider noted that the growth is likely due to the government's strengthening of its management of telephone and internet services, as well as the significant progress in the development of infrastructure in the telecommunications sector.
In his February 6 closing remarks at a five-year review of the ministry, Telecommunications minister Chea Vandeth highlighted the strong contribution that the telecommunications sector has made to digital connectivity.
He also noted that some of the ministry’s important achievements of the past five years, including the preparation and implementation of legal frameworks to strengthen governance, facilitate business operations and protect users' legal interests.
Vandeth explained that the ministry has issued 59 telecommunications operation licenses, including 4 mobile licenses, 2 submarine optical fiber licenses, 5 terrestrial optical fiber licenses, and 39 internet licenses.
He also revealed that there are about 20.6 million mobile phones registered in Cambodia, along with 19 million internet users. Both numbers are higher than the Kingdom’s population, indicating the practice of using multiple providers continues.
The ministry is working to improve digital infrastructure, including mobile phone antennae, along with submarine and terrestrial optical fiber networks, he added.
Chhin Ken, president of the Cambodia Digital Tech Association (CDTA), attributed the remarkable growth of the ministry’s revenue to the government’s improved management of telephone and internet service sectors.
“In the past, some companies were not properly registered, but now with strengthened government management, telecommunications companies must report their activities based on their antenna towers. This is one source of income that has grown. Second, the use of internet services is also a key contributor to our national revenue, as many people use smartphones and access the internet more. Therefore, the Ministry collects fees from these services,” he said.
“Third, strengthening data management infrastructure is another way to collect revenue. All of these activities generate income,” he added.
A ministry report shared that Cambodia has a total of 11,511 mobile phone antennae. This ministry plans to build an additional 3,674 towers.
