Cambodia Investment Review
Smart introduces Smart Infrastructure to strengthen Cambodia’s digital connectivity ecosystem and support the country’s next phase of digital transformation.
Smart Axiata, one of Cambodia’s leading telecommunications and ICT solution providers, reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Cambodia, outlining its continued investments in network infrastructure, 5G connectivity, enterprise ICT solutions, digital innovation, talent development and sustainability.
At the Smart Press Conference 2026, the company highlighted its progress in expanding nationwide connectivity and announced the introduction of Smart Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (SmartInfra), marking an important step in its ambition to support Cambodia’s growing digital infrastructure requirements.The announcement reflects Smart’s continued evolution from a traditional mobile telecommunications operator into a broader Digital Connectivity and ICT Solutions Provider, while maintaining a strong focus on its core mobile business, network quality and customer experience.
Investing in Cambodia’s Digital Future
Speaking at the event, Mr. Ritesh Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Axiata, emphasized the company’s confidence in Cambodia’s long-term growth potential.
“For more than 17 years, Smart has been investing in Cambodia, growing alongside the country and connecting millions of people and businesses. Our commitment remains as strong as ever.
But the next chapter is about much more than mobile connectivity. It is about building the digital infrastructure, capabilities and trust that will help Cambodia compete in an increasingly digital economy.
With the introduction of Smart Infrastructure, our continued investment in 5G, and the expansion of our enterprise ICT capabilities, we are taking concrete steps towards that future. We believe Cambodia has tremendous digital potential. Our responsibility is to translate that potential into real opportunities for businesses, communities and the next generation. We are here for the long term, and we will continue investing in Cambodia’s future.”
Since commencing operations in Cambodia in 2008, Smart has played an important role in the country’s telecommunications development. Today, the company serves more than 8 million customers, provides 4G coverage to over 95% of the population, and continues to expand its 5G services following their introduction in January 2026.
As part of Axiata Group, Smart’s cumulative capital and operational expenditure in Cambodia exceeded USD 3 billion through the end of 2025, reflecting the scale of its long-standing operational presence and infrastructure development.
Smart Infrastructure: Strengthening the Foundations of Cambodia’s Digital Economy
A key highlight of the press conference was the introduction of Smart Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (SmartInfra), a carrier-neutral fiber infrastructure company intended to support the country’s growing demand for reliable, high-capacity digital connectivity. The initiative follows the recent granting of a Fiber Optical Network license, reflecting Smart’s ambition to participate more broadly in the development of Cambodia’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.
SmartInfra is designed to support telecommunications operators, enterprises and other participants in Cambodia’s digital economy through scalable fiber infrastructure. As Cambodia accelerates digital adoption, reliable fiber connectivity will become increasingly important for businesses, cloud services, data-intensive applications and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Through SmartInfra, Smart aims to contribute to stronger national digital infrastructure, encourage infrastructure collaboration and support the country’s long-term digital competitiveness.
Strengthening Mobile Connectivity and Accelerating 5G Adoption
Smart continues to prioritize investment in its core mobile network, recognizing that reliable connectivity, extensive coverage and a consistently strong customer experience remain fundamental to its business and to Cambodia’s digital transformation.
The company has significantly expanded its network footprint, growing from more than 3,000 4G sites in 2022 and targeting over 5,000 sites by the end of 2026. Building on this strong 4G foundation, Smart introduced 5G services in January 2026, marking an important step in strengthening Cambodia’s next-generation digital infrastructure. More than 1 million customers are already using 5G services on Smart’s network, reflecting growing demand for faster, more responsive and future-ready connectivity.
Customer demand for digital connectivity continues to grow rapidly. Average data usage per customer on Smart’s network increased by approximately 23% between December 2025 and September 2026, while smartphone penetration among Smart customers has surpassed 92%. These trends reflect customers’ increasing reliance on mobile connectivity and reinforce the need for continued investment in 4G and 5G network capacity, coverage, quality and resilience, as well as emerging technologies that can support Cambodia’s evolving digital needs.
Smart remains focused on improving customer experience, expanding connectivity and ensuring that its network can support the evolving needs of Cambodian consumers and businesses.
Enabling Enterprise Digital Transformation
Alongside its consumer business, Smart is expanding its role as a digital transformation partner for Cambodian enterprises and small and medium-sized businesses. Today, Smart supports more than 3,000 enterprise customers, providing a growing portfolio of services including business connectivity, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, enterprise networking, managed services, and other digital business solutions.
As Cambodia’s economy becomes increasingly digital, businesses require more than basic connectivity. They need secure, reliable and integrated technology solutions that help improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. Smart’s enterprise strategy focuses on addressing these needs through its connectivity infrastructure, technical capabilities and strategic partnerships. The company sees significant opportunities to support businesses across Cambodia as they adopt cloud technologies, digital applications, automation and new operating models.
Building Digital Trust and Responsible Innovation
As digital adoption accelerates, Smart recognizes that digital trust, cybersecurity and data protection are essential foundations of a secure and sustainable digital economy. The company maintains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS), demonstrating alignment with internationally recognized information security standards, while continuing to strengthen its cybersecurity and privacy capabilities. Smart recorded a NIST Cybersecurity Maturity Score of 3.52, reflecting a solid level of cybersecurity maturity, alongside a Data Privacy Maturity Score of 3.3, as verified by the Axiata Group Privacy Office. The company also maintained a 99.8% completion rate for employee privacy-related training.
These initiatives reflect Smart’s commitment to protecting customer information, strengthening organizational resilience and supporting responsible adoption of digital technologies.
Developing Cambodia’s Digital Talent and Innovation Ecosystem
Smart believes that Cambodia’s digital future depends not only on technology and infrastructure, but also on the skills, creativity and capabilities of its people. The company continues to invest in digital literacy, STEM education, coding, online safety, entrepreneurship and future technology skills. To date, more than 52,000 beneficiaries have participated in Smart-supported digital literacy, coding, online safety and child online protection initiatives. Smart has also delivered more than 69,000 hours of employee learning and development across 2025 and the first half of 2026.
Through initiatives such as Tech Talent, Smart Youth, ACTSmart and Smart Startup Space, the company continues to support the development of Cambodia’s next generation of digital professionals and entrepreneurs. ACTSmart, a flagship incubation program, has supported 32 digital startups and MSMEs across two cohorts, while Smart Startup Space provides entrepreneurs with access to training, mentorship, co-working facilities and ecosystem partnerships.
These programmes reflect Smart’s belief that sustainable digital transformation requires a strong local talent and innovation ecosystem.
Contributing to Cambodia’s Economy
Smart’s commitment to Cambodia extends beyond telecommunications and technology. In 2025, the company was recognized as Cambodia’s third-largest taxpayer and maintained its Gold Tax Compliance status for the sixth consecutive year. Across its broader business ecosystem, Smart supports approximately 38,360 direct and indirect jobs, including employment associated with distributors, agents, suppliers, contractors and partners. The company’s economic contribution is estimated to represent approximately 1% of Cambodia’s gross value added.
Sustainability also remains embedded in Smart’s long-term strategy
The company continues to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and responsible resource management as part of its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. Smart’s network now includes more than 1,800 solar-assisted sites nationwide, representing approximately 40% of its total network sites, supporting greater energy efficiency and a lower environmental footprint as the network continues to expand. Smart remains committed to combining business and network growth with environmental responsibility, digital inclusion and positive social impact, contributing to a more sustainable and digitally connected Cambodia.
Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Partner in Cambodia’s Progress
As Cambodia advances its digital transformation agenda, Smart will continue to focus on five interconnected priorities: strengthening its mobile network and customer experience; expanding digital infrastructure through SmartInfra; accelerating enterprise ICT solutions; developing digital talent and innovation; and advancing digital trust and sustainability.
The company believes these priorities will support Cambodia’s growing demand for reliable connectivity, secure digital services and modern technology infrastructure.
Concluding the press conference, Ritesh Kumar Singh reaffirmed Smart’s long-term commitment:
“Our ambition is not simply to be a telecommunications company that connects people. We want to be a trusted technology partner that helps Cambodia grow. That means continuing to invest in the fundamentals of our business while building new capabilities for the future. We are confident in Cambodia, committed to our customers and determined to play a meaningful role in the country’s digital transformation. As Cambodia moves forward, Smart will continue moving forward alongside it.”
