Siem Reap: Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this morning reaffirmed that the Royal Government of Cambodia will further invest in digital infrastructure and management for the future progress and prosperity of the citizens. Addressing the graduation ceremony of the University of South-East Asia in Siem Reap provincial city, Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister said previously, there was a misconception that talking about digital was only for those who work with computer or information technology, but this is not really the case.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, ‘Digital technology is relevant to all aspects of social life, even religion. Digital technology has now become a part of our lives and lifestyles,’ he stressed. The Premier took the tourism sector as an example, explaining that from the beginning to the end of a visit, digital technology is needed for booking air tickets, accommodation, applying for visas, and buying tickets to enter some tourism destinations. ‘Even street businesses in our country now use digital payments,’ he underlined.

Acknowledging the importance of digital technology, the Royal Government will continue to strengthen and increase further investments in digital technology and infrastructure, including AI, and related policies. Recently, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet granted the green light to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) to prepare a master plan on 5G mobile phone service for the Kingdom. At the same time, the Prime Minister urged all relevant ministries to cooperate and consider telephone and internet services as essential services like electricity and clean water services.

H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of MPTC, said that the current mobile phone service in Cambodia is 4G and can cover some 82 percent of the territory. Cambodia has more than 20.6 million mobile and landline phone registrations, and nearly 19 million internet subscribers.