Building on its strategic partnership with Huawei since 1999, cellcard enters its next chapter with a fresh MoU for a US$300 million investment in 5G, AI, cloud and next-generation connectivity.
Cambodia Investment Review
CamGSM PLC, commercially known as cellcard, Cambodia’s Khmer-owned digital telecommunications operator, today signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei to invest approximately US$300 million over the coming years in next-generation digital infrastructure, advanced connectivity, artificial intelligence, cloud services, and nationwide network modernization.
cellcard also expresses its appreciation for the continued leadership and support of the Royal Government of Cambodia under the guidance of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Government’s continued efforts to strengthen the investment environment and develop infrastructure have contributed to creating a more favorable environment for businesses and investment. cellcard welcomes these efforts and remains committed to supporting Cambodia’s long-term digital development through continued investment in connectivity and technology.
The strategic collaboration marks a major step in cellcard’s transformation, bringing together next-generation mobile and internet connectivity, modernization of data centers, artificial intelligence and cloud platforms, intelligent customer experience, and more energy-efficient network operations under one integrated roadmap.
It also reinforces cellcard’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s long-term digital development. The country’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021–2035 identifies digital infrastructure and connectivity as foundational to wider digital adoption and transformation across government, businesses, and citizens.
The agreement also builds upon a longstanding and successful partnership between cellcard and Huawei, bringing together with a shared ambition to accelerate Cambodia’s transformation into a regional digital economy powerhouse.
Three Decades of Investing in Cambodia’s Digital Future
As cellcard celebrates its 30th year of serving Cambodia, the company stands as a powerful example of what sustained local investment, innovation, and national commitment can achieve.
Since its inception in 1996, cellcard has invested approximately US$5.6 billion into Cambodia’s ICT and digital telecommunications ecosystem, making it a significant private sector contributors to digital development.
These investments include:
• US$1.1 billion in capital expenditure (CAPEX) dedicated to building and modernizing telecommunications infrastructure
• US$0.7 Billion in legal and regulatory contributions
• Billions more invested in operations, network expansion, technology upgrades, employment generation, skills development, innovation, and digital services
For three decades, cellcard has remained steadfast in its mission to connect Cambodians, even as it competed against larger international telecommunications groups. Through continuous investment and innovation, the company has played a pivotal role in expanding digital access, bridging connectivity gaps, creating high-value jobs, supporting local businesses, and enabling Cambodia’s digital transformation journey.
Today, millions of Cambodians rely on cellcard’s networks and digital services for communication, education, commerce, entertainment, and business growth.
Neak Oknha Kith Meng, Chairman of Royal Group of Companies, said: “For three decades, our investment in cellcard has been an investment in Cambodia’s digital future. Today, we are accelerating the country’s journey towards its next digital chapter. This additional US$300 million commitment reflects our confidence in Cambodia’s future and our determination to ensure that Cambodian people and businesses have access to world-class digital infrastructure. By bringing together cellcard’s deep understanding of Cambodia with Huawei’s global technology expertise, we aim to build a stronger digital foundation that enables innovation, supports economic growth and creates new opportunities for our next generation.”
Under the MoU, cellcard, together with other subsidiaries of RGC and Huawei will collaborate across several strategic technology areas.
Next-Generation 5G Network Expansion: Modernization of radio networks in key provinces using Huawei’s advanced 5G and 4G technologies, including MetaAAU solutions that enhance coverage, capacity, and user experience while improving energy efficiency. These investments will accelerate Cambodia’s transition toward widespread 5G adoption, enabling fast connectivity, low-latency applications, modern city initiatives, and next-generation digital services.
AI and Cloud Infrastructure: The partnership will explore collaboration in AI cloud infrastructure and Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) capabilities, creating a foundation for future artificial intelligence applications that can support businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and digital entrepreneurs. By enabling advanced AI capabilities within Cambodia, cellcard aims to help position the country at the forefront of the emerging digital intelligence economy.
Modern Digital Data Centers: cellcard and other subsidiaries of RGC will modernize its data center infrastructure through deployment of Huawei’s Fusion Module 2000 modular data center solution. The upgrades will enhance reliability, scalability, security, and operational efficiency while supporting future growth in cloud services, digital platforms, and AI workloads.
National Backbone Modernization: the collaboration includes modernization of DWDM backbone network, strengthening, the core telecommunications infrastructure and enabling greater network resilience, capacity, and service quality. This investment will create a stronger digital backbone capable of supporting Cambodia’s rapidly increasing data consumption and growing digital economy.
Fibre Broadband Transformation: Through collaboration and partnership with its affiliates, Similarly FTTH infrastructure in Phnom Penh will be modernized through XGS-PON technology capable of delivering consumer broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps. Combined with Huawei’s innovative WiFi Sense solution, customers will benefit from enhanced in-home connectivity, superior service experiences, and high broadband performance.
AI-Driven Customer Experience: Deployment of Huawei SmartCare technology will create an intelligent customer experience management platform capable of proactively improving service quality, strengthening customer satisfaction, and enabling more personalized digital experiences.
Green Technology and Sustainable Operations: Huawei’s PowerStar intelligent energy-saving platform will help cellcard improve network energy efficiency, reduce power consumption, and support the company’s environmental sustainability objectives. These initiatives reinforce cellcard’s commitment to responsible growth while creating a greener and more efficient digital infrastructure ecosystem.
Mr. Manu Rajan, Chief Executive Officer of cellcard and Royal Group’s Digital, Communications, and Technology Division, said: “This is much bigger than an upgrade. We are building the digital platform for what Cambodia becomes next. Our additional US$300 million investment will modernize the full technology stack—from the radio network and people’s home internet, data center, AI cloud infrastructure, and the intelligence we use to manage customer experience. Our ambition is clear: cellcard intends to lead through innovation, bringing advanced technology closer to every Cambodian and making connectivity faster, experiences smarter and infrastructure more resilient. This is how we bring our brand promise of ‘Always By Your Side’ to life—Proudly Khmer and committed to Cambodia’s digital future.”
Mr. Wang Xu, President of Huawei Southeast Asia Multiple Countries, said: “Huawei is proud to deepen our strategic collaboration with cellcard at an important moment in Cambodia’s digital development. By bringing together innovation across 5G, optical networks, data centers, cloud, artificial intelligence, customer experience and green-network technologies, we look forward to supporting cellcard and other subsidiaries of RGC in building an integrated and future-ready digital infrastructure platform. We share the belief that advanced technology creates its great value when it improves people’s lives, strengthens businesses and supports sustainable national development.”
For Cambodia, the ambition is bigger than faster connectivity. It is about creating the digital foundation for smarter businesses, stronger communities, innovative services and the next generation of Cambodian digital growth.
A Proud Cambodian Success Story
As 100% Khmer-owned telecommunications operator of national scale, cellcard has consistently demonstrated that local enterprise can compete, innovate, and thrive on a global stage.
Throughout its history, cellcard has introduced numerous industry innovations that have transformed the country’s telecommunications landscape and helped shape the evolution of Cambodia’s Digital Communications Technology (DCT) sector.
From the Cambodia’s early telecommunications era to investments in internet service, digital platforms, cloud capabilities, and 5G deployment, cellcard has repeatedly shown that innovation and national development go hand in hand.
Its achievements reflect a broader Cambodian success story, where local vision, entrepreneurship, and long-term commitment continue to drive national progress.
As a proudly Khmer company, cellcard will continue investing in technology that keeps Cambodians connected to the people, opportunities and experiences that matter—delivering on its brand promise to be “Always By Your Side.”
cellcard — Always By Your Side | នៅក្បែរអ្នកជានិច្ច | Proudly Khmer
