Starting today, Kingtel, a new internet and telecom service provider, will offer internet services to customers, with the company expected to launch call services within the next few months.

The newly established Kingtel Communications Limited is wholly owned by Hong Kong-based KeyBridge International (Hong Kong) Investment, which has put in a capital investment of more than $140 million, according to Un Chanboran, sales and marketing director at Kingtel.

“Cambodia’s potential, political and economic environment and the number of subscribers are favourable to start operations”, he said, adding that KeyBridge will make use of its already existing experience in Cambodia’s telecom sector.

KeyBridge, which in 2014 bought 65 per cent of internet service provider Emaxx and now completely owns the company, will run its retail operations under the Kingtel brand name, using Emaxx’s licences, according to Chanboran. In 2014, KeyBridge had suspended Emaxx’s retail operations to focus on providing telecommunications infrastructure supplier.

Kingtel will at first provide high-speed internet using fibre-optic services, in collaboration with Huawei and Cambodia Fiber Optic Communication Network, with call services to follow in the next few months.

While operations will focus on Phnom Penh for now, the company will expand to seven other provinces and cities, including Siem Reap, Battambang and Sihanoukville.

Chanboran said they will compete with existing telecom companies with their new technology by providing high-quality data speed and voice services.

“With a competitive rate, good technology and flexible packages, we hope many clients will subscribe with us,” he added.

Im Vutha, director of the Regulation and Dispute Unit at Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia, said Kingtel was granted a mobile licence in early 2015, with licences for ISP and voice-over-internet protocol being issued two weeks ago.

Vutha said Kingtel was yet to show the regulator that it could connect with other operators, post which a final approval would be given.

“We have not received information from Kingtel yet, so they might not able to connect with other operators,” he added.

Kourchettana Kun