Mobile and Internet in Cambodia: Practical Guide for Expats and Nomads

Cambodia has seen rapid progress in its telecommunications infrastructure. Today, the country has a reliable 4G network covering almost all urban and tourist areas, including Siem Reap and the Angkor temples. 5G has been rolling out since 2025, with tests in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The three historic operators — Cellcard, Smart Axiata, and Metfone — dominate the market and offer highly competitive prepaid plans with no long-term commitment.

As an expat or digital nomad in Siem Reap, you benefit from excellent 4G coverage in the city and major temples. The connection is sufficient for remote work (video conferencing, downloads) with average speeds of 20-40 Mbps. 5G is starting to be available in some neighborhoods (near Pub Street, hotel area), offering speeds up to 1 Gbps. In more remote areas, the 4G network remains reliable but may be slower.

To stay connected at low cost:

• Buy a local SIM card upon arrival (Cellcard, Smart, or Metfone) at an official store or airport. Present your passport for registration.
• Choose a prepaid plan: 10 to 15 USD per month for 30 to 50 GB of 4G/5G data, with unlimited calls and SMS to local networks.
• For heavy use (remote work), subscribe to an unlimited data plan (around 25 USD/month) or use a 4G/5G router with a data-only SIM card.
• Check 5G coverage in your area via the operator's app. If available, activate the 5G option (often at no extra cost).

Avoid buying SIM cards from unofficial street stalls: they may be deactivated or charged at abusive rates. Beware of "unlimited" plans that throttle speed after a certain volume (read the terms). Do not rely on public Wi-Fi in cafes for sensitive transactions: use your own mobile connection or a VPN. Finally, if you travel outside urban areas, download offline maps: the 4G network can become very slow.

5G deployment is expected to accelerate in 2026, with expanded coverage in Siem Reap and other tourist provinces. Operators may launch specific 5G plans. Stay informed via the official websites of Cellcard, Smart, and Metfone. For nomads, the arrival of 5G will significantly improve the quality of video conferencing and cloud computing.