Chinese-invested telco firm launches 4G services in Cambodia

Chinese-owned Southeast Asia Telecommunications, Seatel, has officially launched its 4G network in Cambodia after entering the country's oversubscribed telco sector last year, a local newspaper reported Monday.

Seatel said it is currently available in 17 provinces, including Phnom Penh capital, Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, and Siem Reap, and will cover the remaining provinces by year-end.

"We have been constructing a 4G network with a speed 10 times higher than that of 3G," the Phnom Penh Post quoted Han Hanchou, general manager of Seatel Cambodia, as saying at a launching ceremony on Sunday. "Our fiber network extends nearly 7,000 kilometres in Cambodia."

According to Han, Seatel's total investment is about 400 million U.S. dollars, of which 100 million U.S. dollars have been invested so far.

Seatel will provide prospective customers with 4G VoLTE services, which promises high-speed internet and high-quality calling, with Smart Axiata being the only other 4G provider in Cambodia.

Given Seatel's entry into the market, Moa Chakrya, chairman of the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia, said it was testament to Cambodia's open and competitive telecom policy.

He added that he did not expect to see a "price war" among operators in the sector, and that the new development will only strengthen the offerings of the industry.

"Their mobile technology enables us to narrow the digital gap between Cambodia and developed countries in ASEAN," he said.

Cambodia currently has six mobile phone operators and around 27 internet service providers.