Smart Axiata is expanding its role in Cambodia’s digital economy through new investment plans covering fibre infrastructure, 5G connectivity and enterprise technology services. The telecommunications and ICT provider has introduced Smart Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (SmartInfra), a carrier-neutral fibre infrastructure company designed to meet growing demand for high-capacity connectivity among telecommunications operators, businesses and other users.
The move follows the recent granting of a Fiber Optical Network licence and represents a strategic expansion beyond Smart’s traditional mobile telecommunications business. The company announced the initiative at a press conference in Phnom Penh on November 3, reaffirming its commitment to investing in Cambodia’s digital infrastructure.
Key Facts
New company: Smart Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (SmartInfra).
Main focus: Carrier-neutral fibre infrastructure.
Smart's cumulative investment: More than $3 billion in capital and operational expenditure through the end of 2025.
Customer base: More than 8 million customers.
4G coverage: More than 95% of Cambodia’s population.
5G: Launched in January 2026, with more than 1 million customers reported.
Enterprise ICT: More than 3,000 corporate customers.
Network expansion target: More than 5,000 mobile network sites by the end of 2026.
Renewable energy: More than 1,800 solar-assisted network sites.
Smart Axiata Reports More Than $3 Billion in Investment Since 2008
Smart Axiata Chief Executive Officer Ritesh Kumar Singh said the company remained confident in Cambodia’s long-term growth prospects after more than 17 years of operations.
Smart began operating in Cambodia in 2008 and currently serves more than eight million customers. According to the company, its cumulative capital and operational expenditure exceeded $3 billion through the end of 2025.
Its 4G network covers more than 95% of the population, reflecting the scale of its telecommunications infrastructure and its role in connecting consumers and businesses across the country.
Singh said the company's next phase would extend beyond mobile connectivity to include the infrastructure, capabilities and digital trust needed to support Cambodia's increasingly technology-driven economy.
SmartInfra Targets Growing Demand for Fibre Connectivity
The introduction of Smart Infrastructure Co., Ltd. is a central part of Smart's expansion strategy.
Designed as a carrier-neutral fibre infrastructure company, SmartInfra aims to provide scalable connectivity infrastructure to telecommunications operators, enterprises and other participants in Cambodia's digital economy.
Demand for reliable, high-capacity fibre networks is expected to increase as businesses adopt cloud computing, data-intensive applications and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The company said SmartInfra would support collaboration across the infrastructure sector and contribute to the development of Cambodia's national digital connectivity network.
However, Smart has not disclosed the new company's investment value, rollout schedule or initial network coverage. These details will be important in assessing the scale and pace of its infrastructure expansion.
5G Adoption Accelerates as Smart Expands Its Network
Alongside its fibre infrastructure plans, Smart is continuing to invest in mobile network capacity.
The company reported having more than 3,000 4G sites in 2022 and is targeting more than 5,000 sites by the end of 2026.
Since launching 5G services in January 2026, Smart said more than one million customers had started using the network.
Other reported indicators point to increasing demand for mobile data:
Average data usage per customer increased by approximately 23% between December 2025 and September 2026.
Smartphone penetration among Smart customers exceeded 92%.
The company is continuing to strengthen network quality, capacity and coverage.
The figures suggest that mobile connectivity requirements are increasing as more customers use smartphones and data-intensive digital services.
Enterprise ICT Services Expand Beyond Telecommunications
Smart is also developing its enterprise ICT business, which serves more than 3,000 corporate customers.
Its services include:
Business connectivity.
Cloud solutions.
Cybersecurity.
Enterprise networking.
Managed technology services.
The company sees opportunities to support Cambodian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, as they adopt cloud-based systems, automation and other digital applications.
By combining connectivity infrastructure with enterprise technology services, Smart aims to become a broader technology partner for businesses and institutions rather than operating solely as a mobile network provider.
For Cambodian enterprises, access to reliable connectivity, secure digital systems and managed ICT services can support operational efficiency and competitiveness.
Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Become Strategic Priorities
As digital services expand, cybersecurity and data protection are becoming increasingly important to telecommunications operators and businesses.
Smart said it maintains ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its Information Security Management System.
The company also reported:
A NIST Cybersecurity Maturity Score of 3.52.
A Data Privacy Maturity Score of 3.3, verified by the Axiata Group Privacy Office.
Completion of privacy-related training by 99.8% of employees.
These figures reflect the company's reported efforts to strengthen information security, privacy management and organisational awareness.
Digital Skills and Startup Development
Smart also highlighted its contribution to digital skills development and entrepreneurship through programmes including Tech Talent, Smart Youth, ACTSmart and Smart Startup Space.
According to the company, more than 52,000 people have participated in its digital literacy, coding, online safety and child online protection initiatives.
It also delivered more than 69,000 hours of employee learning and development during 2025 and the first half of 2026.
Through ACTSmart, Smart said it has supported 32 digital startups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across two cohorts.
These programmes form part of the company's wider approach to supporting local digital talent and encouraging technology-based entrepreneurship.
Solar-Assisted Network Sites Support Sustainability
Smart reported operating more than 1,800 solar-assisted network sites, representing approximately 40% of its total network sites.
The company said the initiative forms part of its efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of telecommunications operations.
As network infrastructure expands to support higher data demand and 5G connectivity, energy efficiency will remain an important consideration for the sector.
Economic Contribution and Employment
Smart also highlighted its wider contribution to Cambodia's economy.
The company said it was recognised as Cambodia's third-largest taxpayer in 2025 and retained Gold Tax Compliance status for the sixth consecutive year.
Its broader business ecosystem supports approximately 38,360 direct and indirect jobs, including employment among distributors, agents, suppliers, contractors and business partners.
Smart estimates that its economic contribution represents approximately 1% of Cambodia's gross value added.
These figures were reported by the company and reflect its assessment of its economic footprint.
Smart's Long-Term Strategy in Cambodia
Looking ahead, Smart identified several priorities:
Strengthening mobile network quality and customer experience.
Expanding fibre infrastructure through SmartInfra.
Growing enterprise ICT services.
Supporting digital talent development and innovation.
Improving digital trust, cybersecurity and sustainability.
Singh said Smart aimed to become a trusted technology partner supporting Cambodia's economic and digital transformation, reaffirming the company's commitment to customers and the country's long-term development.
Angkor Times Analysis
Smart Axiata's introduction of SmartInfra signals a strategic shift in Cambodia's telecommunications market, where competition and investment are increasingly extending beyond mobile subscriptions to the underlying infrastructure that supports the digital economy.
Fibre networks are essential to high-capacity connectivity, providing infrastructure for mobile networks, cloud services, enterprise applications and data-intensive technologies. A carrier-neutral model could also create opportunities for infrastructure collaboration among different telecommunications operators and business users.
The expansion comes as Smart reports more than one million 5G customers and rising average data consumption. These trends underline the importance of continued investment in network capacity, coverage and reliability.
Smart's enterprise ICT strategy is another important dimension. By combining connectivity with cloud, cybersecurity and managed services, the company is positioning itself to serve businesses seeking integrated digital solutions. This could be particularly relevant for Cambodian SMEs as they modernise operations.
However, several important details remain undisclosed, including SmartInfra's investment budget, infrastructure rollout timetable and initial coverage. The company's target of more than 5,000 mobile network sites by the end of 2026 also remains a forward-looking target rather than a confirmed completed outcome.
Ultimately, Smart's next phase of investment will be measured not only by infrastructure expansion but also by the quality, affordability and accessibility of digital services available to Cambodian consumers and businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Smart Infrastructure Co., Ltd. (SmartInfra)?
SmartInfra is a carrier-neutral fibre infrastructure company introduced by Smart Axiata to provide high-capacity connectivity infrastructure for telecommunications operators, businesses and other users.
2. How much has Smart Axiata invested in Cambodia?
Smart reported cumulative capital and operational expenditure of more than $3 billion through the end of 2025, following its entry into Cambodia in 2008.
3. How many customers does Smart have?
The company reported serving more than eight million customers in Cambodia.
4. How many customers are using Smart's 5G network?
Smart reported that more than one million customers were using its 5G network following its launch in January 2026.
5. What is Smart's 4G coverage in Cambodia?
According to the company, its 4G network covers more than 95% of Cambodia's population.
6. What services does Smart provide to businesses?
Its enterprise ICT services include business connectivity, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, enterprise networking and managed services. The company serves more than 3,000 corporate customers.
7. What is Smart's target for mobile network expansion?
Smart is targeting more than 5,000 mobile network sites by the end of 2026. The company had reported more than 3,000 4G sites in 2022.
8. How is Smart supporting digital skills development?
Through programmes including Tech Talent, Smart Youth, ACTSmart and Smart Startup Space, the company supports digital literacy, coding, online safety, entrepreneurship and startup development.