Top 3 Mobile Operators in Cambodia: Empowering Communication and Connectivity

B2B Cambodia's editorial team has compiled a list of the most recommended Mobile Operators to you.

To be listed in our Top Businesses in Cambodia series, we have checked the strength of coverage, internet data availability, brand reputation, and customer satisfaction of each company.

Mobile technology has transformed the way people communicate and access information, making it an essential part of daily life. In Cambodia, mobile sim cards and penetration is very high, with more sim cards than the population - mobile phone subscribers reached 22.16 million by the start of 2023.

In Cambodia, with the mobile market experiencing significant growth, several mobile operators compete to provide reliable services and extensive coverage. All operators offer a variety of plans - both prepaid and postpaid services, as well as international calling plans - it makes sense to research the plans available in the market.  

Cambodian mobile phone operators by law, are meant to only activate mobile phone numbers with subscriber identity information or identification documents. We will explore the best mobile operators in Cambodia, known for their network quality, innovative offerings, and commitment to keeping Cambodia connected.

Top 3 Mobile Operators in Cambodia

Metfone (Viettel Cambodia)

Metfone, a subsidiary of Viettel Cambodia, has been a prominent player in the Cambodian mobile market since it was established in 2009. 

The company offers comprehensive mobile services, including voice, data, and value-added services like mobile banking and entertainment. Metfone has the biggest number of subscribers and is considered to have the extensive coverage with more than 5000 network towers in 20 provinces. Which is why the company is often thought to offer the best services in the rural areas and provinces outside of the main urban areas. Metfone's focus on network quality, competitive pricing, and customer-centric approach has earned it a loyal customer base.

2024 was their 15th anniversary and they said that they provide network coverage to 98 percent of the population in Cambodia.

Smart Axiata

Smart Axiata is one of Cambodia's leading mobile operators and has been in operation since 2008 in the Kingdom. 

The mobile operator has a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, and Smart Axiata has consistently invested in network expansion and modern infrastructure. The company provides high-speed 4G and 4G+ connectivity, and operates a number of retail stores across Cambodia and has a popular roaming service covering 190 countries which can be activated for traveling overseas.

Smart Axiata has strongest presence in the major cities and towns, and good brand reputation due to maintaining a strong corporate social responsibility and sustainability agenda for national socioeconomic growth.

Cellcard (CamGSM)

Cellcard, operated by CamGSM, was established in 1997 and is part of the Royal Group of Companies. The operator is one of the most popular and regularly winner of industry awards and speed tests for their connectivity and network speeds and is seen as a trusted mobile operator in Cambodia. 

With a strong network presence and a wide range of services, Cellcard offers reliable voice and data connectivity to its customers and has invested in expanding its coverage and delivering affordable data plans, making it a popular choice among Cambodian mobile users.

Cellcard is considered to have the best speed among its competitors, though its coverage is not as strong as its competitors it is present in all provinces across Cambodia. 

Cambodia Telecom Market Overview

Based on reports from PROFITENCE, Standard Insights, and from the MPTC (Ministry of Post and Telecommunications)

• Cambodia has five mobile phone operators – Cellcard, Smart, Viettel, Cootel, and Yes SeaTel – with 38 internet service providers, according to the ministry data.
• 4G coverage is available to 80 per cent of the population in Cambodia.

By January 2024, Cambodia’s mobile connections (according to DataReportal) had increased to 24.65 million, which represents more than 140 per cent of the country's population and a 4+ per cent increase from the year before, demonstrating the growth potential of the sector.

Some of the key characteristics customers are looking for in their preferred telco in Cambodia include; a higher quality of network/internet, internet coverage and speeds, price, and flexibility of packages. It should be noted that by mid-2023 4G is the fastest network and 5G has not been rolled out.

In 2023, the Association of Telecommunication Operators in Cambodia (ATOC), which represents all mobile network operators in the Kingdom, agreed with the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia that all providers follow new tariff plans to provide better transparency to the users by assigning separate bundles of data (MB), talk time (minutes), and short messaging service (SMS).

When choosing a mobile operator in Cambodia, individuals should consider factors such as network coverage, service quality, pricing, and additional features to ensure they select the best provider that aligns with their specific communication needs.