PHNOM PENH – Cambodia has moved to position itself as an active player in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing digital economy, pledging support for a landmark regional digital framework while confirming plans to launch commercial 5G services starting in 2026.
At a recent regional meeting, the government reiterated its backing for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a pact that aims to knit together the region’s online markets and could help lift ASEAN’s digital economy to an estimated $2 trillion by 2030. Domestically, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has confirmed that 5G rollout will begin in January 2026, following earlier announcements at a national Digital Government Forum where officials set 2026 as the start date for next-generation mobile services.
Tying National Goals to a Regional Deal
Cambodian officials have framed the country’s digital push as part of a broader regional strategy. Local outlet Fresh News reported that the government has explicitly supported accelerating DEFA so that ASEAN can reach a $2 trillion digital economy by the end of the decade, aligning national development plans with the bloc’s ambitions.
International organizations have described DEFA as the world’s first region-wide, legally binding digital economy framework, designed to harmonize rules on data, digital trade, payments and online services across the 10 ASEAN members. Negotiations are expected to wrap up in 2026, around the same time Cambodia’s 5G networks come online, creating a window for the country to plug new infrastructure directly into emerging regional standards.
5G as a Catalyst for Cambodia’s Digital Upgrade
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has said that initial 5G services will be rolled out in Phnom Penh and several key provinces, targeting urban users, businesses and industrial zones before wider expansion. Domestic business media such as B2B Cambodia have highlighted the announcement as a “major leap” for the country’s connectivity, noting that Minister Chea Vandeth framed 5G as critical to the government’s digital transformation agenda.
Analysts say that faster, more reliable networks could enable growth in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, online education and cloud services, and help Cambodian firms integrate more deeply into regional value chains. A recent UNCTAD brief noted that the country is already aligning its e-commerce policies with ASEAN initiatives and entering new digital trade agreements, suggesting that regulatory reforms are advancing alongside infrastructure upgrades.
Opportunities — and Hurdles
Cambodia’s digital ambitions come with significant challenges. Rural connectivity gaps, relatively high data costs for low-income users, and shortages of advanced digital skills could slow the diffusion of 5G-enabled services beyond major cities, according to regional studies on ASEAN’s digital transition. Ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises can securely adopt online platforms and comply with emerging cross-border data and cybersecurity rules under DEFA will also test the capacity of regulators and businesses alike.
Still, by tying its 5G rollout to ASEAN’s flagship digital agreement, Cambodia is signaling that it wants to be seen not just as a late adopter catching up on infrastructure, but as a committed partner in shaping the rules of the region’s online economy. If the twin tracks of domestic reform and regional integration stay on course, the country could find itself far more connected — both digitally and economically — by the time the new network lights up in 2026. (zai)