Cambodia’s digital landscape is moving faster than ever. Between 2023 and 2025, mobile internet speeds across the country have nearly doubled, driven by aggressive network investment and infrastructure upgrades. According to data from nPerf, both download and upload speeds have seen remarkable growth, signaling a major leap in the country’s digital capabilities. Download speeds jumped by 45.8% from 2023 to 2024 and continued rising by another 35.0% into 2025. Upload speeds followed a similar trajectory, increasing by 42.6% and then surging by 52.5% over the same period.

This rapid progress reflects how telecom operators are scaling infrastructure and optimizing performance to meet growing demand.

Stronger Networks Power Better User Experience

Behind these numbers is a clear improvement in everyday user experience. As networks expand and modernize, users are benefiting from more stable connections and faster response times. Although latency initially increased from 91.85 milliseconds in 2023 to 106.82 milliseconds in 2024 due to a spike in users, it dropped by 12.3% in 2025 as operators fine tuned their systems. Lower latency is especially important for services like remote work, digital payments, and online gaming, where speed and responsiveness are critical. Browsing performance has also improved steadily, with the browsing index rising from 44.67% in 2023 to 56.48% in 2025, making everyday internet use smoother and more efficient.

4G and 5G Investment Accelerates Transformation

The backbone of this progress lies in continued investment in 4G and early stage 5G networks. Telecom providers are not only expanding coverage but also increasing network capacity to handle heavier data usage. Partnerships such as those between Smart Axiata and Huawei highlight efforts to push forward with advanced technologies like 5G fixed wireless access. These investments are playing a central role in Cambodia’s broader digital transformation, enabling more people and businesses to connect, transact, and innovate.

Rising Demand Brings New Challenges

However, rapid digital growth is also creating new pressures. While overall performance has improved, video streaming is emerging as a stress point for networks. Streaming performance rose from 66.12% in 2023 to 73.14% in 2024 but declined by 7.7% in 2025. This dip reflects a surge in users watching high definition and 4K content, which requires significantly more bandwidth. The trend shows that as digital habits evolve, infrastructure must continuously adapt to keep up with user expectations.

Digital Adoption Fuels Economic Growth

The surge in mobile performance is closely tied to Cambodia’s broader shift toward a digital economy. Increased connectivity is making it easier for people to access mobile banking, digital payments, e commerce platforms, and online services. Businesses are becoming more efficient, while new opportunities are emerging across industries such as finance, retail, and technology. This transformation is not just about faster internet, it is about building a more connected and competitive economy.

The Key Insight You Need to Know

Faster and more reliable mobile networks are no longer a luxury but a foundation for regional growth and identity. As connectivity improves, each province has greater potential to develop its own digital strengths, whether in tourism, agriculture, services, or entrepreneurship. The real takeaway is that network investment is not just improving speed, it is reshaping how Cambodia grows, competes, and connects in the digital age.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s near doubling of mobile speeds between 2023 and 2025 marks a turning point in its digital journey. Strong investment in infrastructure, combined with rising demand for online services, is accelerating the country’s transformation into a digital economy. While challenges like streaming capacity remain, the overall trajectory is highly positive.

Can artificial intelligence truly shape Cambodia’s economic future over the next two decades? According to senior government leaders and industry experts, the answer is clear: yes, but only if the country acts decisively now.

AI as a Strategic Growth Engine

Vongsey Vissoth recently described artificial intelligence as a central driver of economic growth for the next 10 to 20 years, calling on Cambodia to invest boldly in this transformative technology. Speaking after attending an AI training programme, he urged civil servants not only to use AI tools but to truly understand and master them to improve efficiency, institutional performance, and service delivery. He expressed appreciation to trainers from the Council of Ministers, the Council for Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and CamTech University for sharing practical expertise. His participation, he explained, reflects a firm belief in the power of technology to strengthen both daily administrative functions and long term national development.

National Vision and Global Competition

Highlighting the forward looking agenda of Hun Manet, Vissoth stressed that AI adoption is critical to advancing socio economic development and improving citizens’ livelihoods. In an era defined by digital transformation, countries that hesitate risk falling further behind. He emphasized that Cambodia must strengthen its competitive edge not only economically, but also technologically, socially, and even in areas tied to national security.

“For Cambodia, although we have not yet reached the stage of independently creating new technologies, we must dare to invest so that we can adopt existing technologies and use them to their full potential to meet real needs,” he said. He warned that failing to act could widen the development gap with more advanced economies.

Human Judgment in the Age of AI

While advocating for AI adoption, Vissoth made it clear that technology should enhance, not replace, human decision making. Officials, he advised, must learn to “master AI” rather than rely on it blindly. AI can function as a powerful assistant, but final decisions must always rest on human intelligence, experience, intuition, and sound judgment. As part of broader institutional reform, he proposed establishing an “AI Application Steering Group” within the Council of Ministers. This body would identify gaps, develop implementation plans, and integrate AI into daily government operations to boost productivity, quality, and efficiency. He also underscored that investing in civil servant training should be viewed as a long term commitment to institutional strength and national progress. Embracing AI, he concluded, is no longer optional but essential for Cambodia’s competitiveness.

Private Sector Perspective on AI Readiness

From the private sector, Tarun Dhawan, Managing Director of Moblaze, echoed similar optimism. He believes AI can deliver innovative solutions that not only accelerate economic growth but also significantly raise living standards. “If Cambodia has an ambition to transition towards a digital and innovation-driven economy, and catch up with more developed countries, then AI development will be highly critical for it,” he said. “AI can provide innovative solutions that can bring prosperity and improve the quality of life for the population. It can solve big problems and drive economic growth for the country.”

Education, Regulation, and Workforce Development

Dhawan cautioned, however, that unlocking AI’s full potential requires serious investment in education and digital skills, along with clear and responsible regulatory frameworks. “To fully leverage the potential of AI, Cambodia will also need to prioritise education and digital skill-building. Policymakers will play a crucial role in setting regulations that promote ethical AI use and data protection,” he noted. Emerging economies like Cambodia face structural constraints, including limited awareness of AI technologies, shortages of skilled professionals, digital infrastructure gaps, and weak technical support systems. Overcoming these barriers demands coordinated public and private collaboration.

Sector Opportunities in Agriculture, Logistics, and Education

Dhawan highlighted that AI development should align closely with Cambodia’s socio economic priorities. In agriculture, precision farming tools could improve crop yields and optimize the use of soil, water, and fertilizers, while helping farmers monitor soil health, predict weather patterns, and detect crop diseases. In logistics, AI systems could streamline supply chains, particularly in rural areas, by optimizing transport routes, managing inventory, and forecasting demand. In education, adaptive tutoring platforms and intelligent remote learning tools could expand access and better match skills training with labor market needs. He emphasized that AI solutions must remain locally relevant, affordable, accessible at the grassroots level, and governed by safeguards to prevent misuse or bias.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence presents Cambodia with a defining opportunity. If supported by strategic investment, strong governance, skilled human capital, and effective public private partnerships, AI can become a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s transformation into a digital and innovation driven economy. The message from both government and industry is consistent: the time to invest in AI is now, or risk being left behind in an increasingly competitive global landscape.