Cambodia’s Major Telecom Operators Announce International IP Transit Rerouting Amid Border Tensions

Cambodia’s major telecom providers – Cellcard, Smart Axiata and Metfone – have announced the rerouting of their international IP transit routes in response to escalating tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border. The move, officially communicated on June 13, 2025, is part of a broader national push toward digital sovereignty and infrastructure resilience.

The rerouting efforts follow Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s order to strengthen the country’s digital independence and reduce reliance on foreign connectivity routes. While necessary, the transition may cause temporary internet disruptions for users across mobile, home, and enterprise services.

In an official statement, Smart Axiata reaffirmed its support for the national agenda, stating:

We will be redirecting Cambodia’s main international IP transit routes—an important milestone in creating a stronger, more self-sufficient digital future for the country. As we shift to more secure and sovereign connectivity routes, you may experience temporary slowdowns in internet performance across Mobile Internet, Smart@Home, and Fiber+ services due to the transition of traffic through alternative international gateways.

The statement added, “We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this important transition. Our technical teams are working around the clock to stabilise service and restore speeds as quickly as possible. Together, we are contributing to a more independent and resilient Cambodia, and your support plays a vital role in this historic journey. Thank you for standing with us as we stand with the country and the people of Cambodia.”

Cellcard, another major operator, echoed this commitment in its own announcement, with senior leadership weighing in on the strategic importance of the shift.

“This is a historic moment for Cambodia’s digital future,” said Neak Oknha Kith Meng, Chairman and CEO of Royal Group of Companies. “Cellcard is fully committed to supporting the Royal Government in building a sovereign, secure, and world-class digital infrastructure – reducing external dependency and enhancing greater national resilience.”

Yap Kok Leong, Deputy CEO of Cellcard, acknowledged the potential service impacts, stating:

Users may experience brief disruptions such as slower speeds or temporary outages – whether on mobile, home WiFi, or enterprise internet access. These are short-term inconveniences. We are working closely with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to restore full service.

Metfone, another main telecom operator, stated in its latest press release that, in response to localised disruptions affecting several international fiber optic cable lines passing through the Thailand border area, it has swiftly implemented the necessary technical measures to ensure the uninterrupted operation of its nationwide telecommunications network.

Although partially impacted by the cable issue, Metfone affirms that all telecommunications services remain stable, thanks to a robust backup infrastructure that had been strategically invested in beforehand.

The statement added:

Metfone has activated alternative transmission routes via the Vietnam and Laos borders, with a total backup capacity of up to 1.1 Tbps. As a result, all services—including voice, internet, mobile data, and digital platforms—continue to operate seamlessly, meeting the needs of citizens, businesses, and institutions across Cambodia.