With the success of CamGSM’s 3G mobile platform launched last year, its competitors are racing to provide this new mobile technology to its subscribers. Although Cambodia has limited the operators from providing video call, high-speed internet is too much to resist. This morning advertisement of 3G services from Camshin appeared on major news paper in Cambodia, making it the second operator to provide 3G services to its customers. More, Camshin is not the only one who plans to launch the 3G services in Cambodia.
According to the company call center, the pricing of its 3G services is not release yet. Currently, 3G is the most affordable option for internet users, but at rate of US$40 plus VAT per month not many people can afford 3G. Hopefully, the Camshin’s service could heat up the competition and bring down the cost. Compared to the 2G or 2.5G, not many people expected to use 3G, because most of the mobile users do not use internet. Without video call the only feature that differentiates 3G from 2G is high-speed internet.
Although there are little differences between 3G and 2G, this technological trend is too much for the mobile operators to ignore. Without deploying new technology the companies will look old-fashioned. So, another player in this market, Telecom Malaysia also plans to launch the 3G services. Although there is no official announcement, the network is on the air. With the 3G enabled hand phone you will be able to search mobiles network, and of course Samart’s UMTS (3G) will be in the list of available networks.
Interestingly, the new competitor that is not yet in the business also plans to take over some of the market share with this new Technology. According to GSM world, Cambodia Advanced Communication will launch both 2G and 3G network early next year.
Including Cambodia Advance Communication there will be 5 mobile operators compete against each other for Cambodia market. Hopefully, next year 4 of the operators will provide 3G services, leaving only Applifone’s Star-Cell the only one company that still use GSM.
For internet users it is good news, because with more competitors in the 3G market would bring the cost of internet down. Therefore, internet access from home would be possible for most Cambodian internet users.
Related posts:
- 3G IS NOTHING WHEN THE NETWORKS BACKBONE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH BANWIDTH CAPACITY
- UNLIMITED MOBILE INTERNET IN CAMBODIA
- Star-Cell launched the mobile network in Cambodia
Tags: 011, 012, 015, 016, 092, 098, 099, 3g, Cambodia, gprs, GSM, internet, mobile phone, technology, Telecommunication, umts
3 Responses to “Mobile Operators Race toward 3G in Cambodia”
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November 14th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
[...] 14th, 2007 Borin surveys the landscape of Cambodia’s rapidly evolving 3G market. With the success of CamGSM’s 3G mobile platform launched last year, its competitors are racing [...]
April 17th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
It is a good idea if all operators provide a wider network coverage not focus only in Phnom Penh.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
KBR,
It is good of course to widen the coverage. But, as the business people, they have to consider profitability of deploying such services in the rural area.