The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications will construct 100 base stations with cellular antennas to upgrade the quality of mobile phone and mobile internet service in priority areas and tourist destinations in rural areas where mobile phone and internet service are currently very limited.

The ministry said in its June 14 press statement that the construction of the 100 base stations will be funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund in collaboration with the ministries of tourism, environment and other relevant institutions including Cambodia’s cellular service providers.

“The construction of the base stations will be done in-line with the mechanisms of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. The ministry will upgrade the quality of service in five zones across the country.

“Currently, eight working groups are working actively in boreys [gated suburbs]. They are measuring the level of the service across the country to push the cellular service providers to fulfill their duty by constructing more base stations in order for service to improve across the country,” the statement said.

The construction of these base stations came about after complaints from the public and with a recommendation by Prime Minister Hun Sen on July 14 during the annual meeting of the Ministry of Tourism.

During the annual meeting, Hun Sen said that all of the mobile phone companies have to improve their service quality both in towns and in the rural areas because people now travel and are increasingly working remotely.