Cambodia’s cellcard has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei for approximately US$300 million in additional investment covering 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, data centres and next-generation connectivity.
The agreement, announced on September 28, 2026, covers the modernization of mobile networks, expansion of 5G connectivity, AI and cloud infrastructure, data centres, fibre broadband, customer-experience technology and energy-efficient network operations.
The company said the new commitment builds on its longstanding partnership with Huawei and forms part of cellcard’s next phase of digital infrastructure development.
US$300 Million to Target Cambodia’s Next Digital Infrastructure
Under the MoU, cellcard, other subsidiaries of Royal Group of Companies (RGC) and Huawei will collaborate across several technology areas.
The planned investment will cover:
5G and 4G network modernization
AI and cloud infrastructure
Modern digital data centres
National backbone network modernization
Fibre broadband
AI-driven customer experience
Energy-efficient network operations
The company said the objective is to modernize the technology infrastructure supporting Cambodia’s growing digital economy.
5G Expansion Across Key Provinces
One of the central components of the agreement is the modernization and expansion of cellcard’s radio network.
The company said Huawei’s advanced 5G and 4G technologies, including MetaAAU solutions, will be deployed in key provinces.
According to cellcard, the technology is intended to improve network coverage and capacity while also increasing energy efficiency.
The company expects the investment to support broader 5G adoption and enable applications requiring faster connectivity and lower latency.
These could include modern-city initiatives and next-generation digital services.
AI and Cloud Infrastructure Become a Major Focus
The agreement also moves beyond telecommunications connectivity into artificial intelligence.
cellcard said it will explore cooperation with Huawei on AI cloud infrastructure and Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) capabilities.
The planned infrastructure is intended to provide a foundation for future AI applications that could serve:
Businesses
Government agencies
Educational institutions
Digital entrepreneurs
The company said developing advanced AI capabilities in Cambodia could help support the country's emerging digital-intelligence economy.
The announcement does not specify the total capacity, number of AI models or individual AI applications that will be developed under the MoU.
Data Centres to Be Modernized
Another major component involves modernization of cellcard and RGC data-centre infrastructure.
The companies plan to deploy Huawei’s FusionModule 2000 modular data-centre solution.
According to cellcard, the upgrades are intended to improve:
Reliability
Scalability
Security
Operational efficiency
The infrastructure will also support future growth in cloud services, digital platforms and AI workloads.
National Digital Backbone to Get an Upgrade
The agreement also includes modernization of the DWDM backbone network.
DWDM, or dense wavelength-division multiplexing, is used to carry large volumes of data across optical networks.
cellcard said the modernization will strengthen core telecommunications infrastructure and increase network resilience, capacity and service quality.
The company described the investment as part of efforts to build a stronger national digital backbone capable of handling rising data consumption and supporting Cambodia’s growing digital economy.
Phnom Penh Fibre Broadband Targeted for 1Gbps
The agreement also includes a transformation of fibre broadband infrastructure in Phnom Penh.
According to cellcard, FTTH infrastructure will be modernized using XGS-PON technology, which can support consumer broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps.
The company also plans to combine the upgraded fibre infrastructure with Huawei’s WiFi Sense solution to improve in-home connectivity and broadband performance.
AI to Improve Customer Experience
Artificial intelligence will also be used in customer-service infrastructure.
cellcard said Huawei’s SmartCare technology will be deployed to create an intelligent customer-experience management platform.
The company expects the system to help improve service quality proactively, strengthen customer satisfaction and enable more personalized digital experiences.
Energy Efficiency Included in the Digital Upgrade
The investment is also designed to improve the energy efficiency of telecommunications infrastructure.
Huawei’s PowerStar intelligent energy-saving platform is expected to help cellcard reduce network power consumption.
cellcard said the initiative supports its environmental sustainability objectives while creating a more efficient digital infrastructure ecosystem.
cellcard Says Total Investment Has Reached US$5.6 Billion
The new US$300 million commitment comes as cellcard marks its 30th year of operations in Cambodia.
According to the company, cellcard has invested approximately US$5.6 billion in Cambodia’s ICT and digital telecommunications ecosystem since its establishment in 1996.
The company said this includes:
| Investment category | Reported amount |
|---|---|
| Total investment since 1996 | US$5.6 billion |
| Telecommunications infrastructure CAPEX | US$1.1 billion |
| Legal and regulatory contributions | US$0.7 billion |
| New strategic MoU | US$300 million |
cellcard said additional investment has also gone into operations, network expansion, technology upgrades, employment, skills development, innovation and digital services.
The US$5.6 billion figure and the breakdown are company-reported figures in the announcement.
Royal Group: Investment Is About Cambodia’s Digital Future
Royal Group of Companies Chairman Neak Oknha Kith Meng described the new investment as an investment in Cambodia’s digital future.
He said the additional US$300 million commitment reflects confidence in Cambodia’s future and aims to expand access to advanced digital infrastructure.
He also highlighted the combination of cellcard’s knowledge of the Cambodian market with Huawei’s technology capabilities.
cellcard CEO: Full Technology Stack to Be Modernized
cellcard and Royal Group’s Digital, Communications and Technology Division CEO Manu Rajan said the investment will cover what he described as the company’s full technology stack.
This includes the radio network, home internet, data centres, AI cloud infrastructure and customer-experience systems.
Rajan said cellcard aims to use the investment to bring advanced technology closer to Cambodian users while improving connectivity and infrastructure resilience.
Huawei Deepens Strategic Partnership With cellcard
Huawei Southeast Asia Multiple Countries President Wang Xu said Huawei would deepen its strategic collaboration with cellcard.
The areas identified include:
5G
Optical networks
Data centres
Cloud
Artificial intelligence
Customer experience
Green-network technologies
Huawei said these technologies would support the development of an integrated digital infrastructure platform.
30 Years of cellcard Investment in Cambodia
cellcard was founded in 1996 and is marking three decades of operations in Cambodia.
According to the company, it is a Khmer-owned telecommunications operator of national scale and has invested continuously in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
The company said its development has included telecommunications networks, internet services, digital platforms, cloud capabilities and 5G deployment.
The company also states that more than 4 million subscribers use its nationwide 4G/5G and internet network.
Angkor Times Analysis: Why the US$300 Million Matters
The significance of the new commitment lies in its breadth.
This is not simply a mobile-network expansion. The announced roadmap connects several layers of Cambodia’s digital infrastructure: mobile connectivity, fibre broadband, data centres, cloud computing, AI, customer-service systems and network energy efficiency.
That combination reflects how telecommunications infrastructure is increasingly becoming part of a broader digital-economy platform.
1. 5G could expand the foundation for digital services
Modernized 5G infrastructure can provide higher capacity and lower latency, creating technical conditions for applications that require faster and more reliable connectivity.
The announcement, however, does not provide specific coverage targets or a completion timetable.
2. AI infrastructure could support a new layer of digital services
The planned AI cloud and MaaS capabilities could provide infrastructure for companies, institutions and developers that want to use AI without necessarily building all underlying computing infrastructure themselves.
The commercial impact will depend on how these capabilities are deployed and adopted.
3. Data centres become increasingly important
AI, cloud services and digital platforms require reliable computing and storage infrastructure.
The planned data-centre modernization therefore complements the wider network investment rather than operating as a separate project.
4. Fibre and mobile networks are being upgraded together
The combination of 5G modernization with XGS-PON fibre infrastructure in Phnom Penh indicates an investment strategy covering both mobile and fixed connectivity.
That can provide businesses and households with different connectivity options depending on their needs.
5. Energy efficiency becomes part of network modernization
The inclusion of PowerStar technology indicates that the investment is also addressing the operating efficiency of telecommunications infrastructure.
For a network that handles increasing data traffic, energy consumption can become an important operating consideration.
What the Investment Could Mean for Cambodia’s Digital Economy?
If implemented as described, the investment could strengthen several parts of Cambodia’s digital ecosystem.
| Area | Potential relevance |
|---|---|
| 5G | Faster and higher-capacity mobile connectivity |
| Fibre | Higher-performance fixed broadband |
| AI cloud | Infrastructure for AI applications |
| Data centres | Computing and storage capacity |
| Backbone | Greater network capacity and resilience |
| Customer experience | More intelligent service management |
| Energy efficiency | Lower network power consumption |
| Digital businesses | Infrastructure for technology adoption |
These are potential effects based on the technologies described in the company announcement, rather than confirmed economic outcomes.
Cambodia’s Digital Policy Context
cellcard linked the investment to Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021–2035, which identifies digital infrastructure