Internet in Cambodia 2026: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap & Nomad Guide

Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s most affordable destinations — and its internet infrastructure has been quietly catching up. While it does not match the blazing speeds of Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap now offer 15-40 Mbps mobile data on 4G, a growing number of fiber-connected coworking spaces, and tourist SIM cards for as little as $2. With the US dollar as the de facto currency, minimal censorship, and a cost of living that makes even Chiang Mai look expensive, Cambodia deserves serious consideration for budget-conscious nomads and long-term travelers.

We spent six weeks working across Cambodia — from Phnom Penh’s riverside cafes to Siem Reap’s quieter coworking scene, with side trips to Kampot and Sihanoukville — testing SIM cards, eSIMs, coworking WiFi, and cafe connections. This guide covers everything you need to know about getting and staying online in Cambodia in 2026.

For Cambodia-specific eSIM deals, see our best eSIM for Cambodia guide. For travel insurance coverage in the region, see our best travel insurance for Asia guide.

Cambodia Internet at a Glance

Detail	Info
Average Mobile Speed	15-40 Mbps (4G)
5G Available	No (limited trials in Phnom Penh only)
Main Carriers	Smart (Axiata), Cellcard, Metfone (Viettel)
eSIM Supported	Yes (via international eSIM providers)
WiFi Quality	Good in PP/SR, variable elsewhere
VPN Needed	Optional (minimal censorship, good for WiFi security)
Nomad Score	7/10
Monthly Cost (Data)	$2-10 USD

Cambodia’s telecom landscape is dominated by Smart (backed by Malaysia’s Axiata Group), Cellcard, and Metfone (owned by Vietnam’s Viettel). All three have invested heavily in 4G since 2023, and coverage in major cities is solid. 5G remains in early trials — limited to select areas of Phnom Penh — and is not a factor for visitors in 2026.

Best eSIM Options for Cambodia

An eSIM is the fastest way to get connected in Cambodia. No navigating airport SIM counters, no passport photocopies, no language barriers. Install before you board and have data the moment you clear immigration at Phnom Penh International Airport.

Saily — Best Overall Value

Saily is our top pick for Cambodia. Plans start at $3.99 for 1GB/7 days, with the 5GB/30-day plan at $8.99 being the sweet spot for most travelers. Saily connects through Smart (Axiata) — the most reliable carrier with the widest 4G coverage. We measured 20-35 Mbps consistently in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Get Saily Cambodia eSIM

Airalo — Widest Plan Selection

Airalo connects through Smart with comparable speeds. The advantage: their Asia regional plan covers Cambodia plus neighboring countries if you are hopping between Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia on a single trip.

Get Airalo Cambodia eSIM

Holafly — Best for Unlimited Data

Holafly offers unlimited Cambodia plans starting at $19 for 5 days. No data caps, no throttling. Speeds average 15-30 Mbps. No hotspot/tethering. See our Holafly review for details.

Get Holafly Cambodia Unlimited

Which eSIM Should You Choose?

• Short trip (under 7 days): Saily 1-3GB — pay for only what you need.
• Medium trip (1-4 weeks): Saily 5GB — best value.
• Multi-country Asia trip: Airalo Asia regional plan.
• Remote workers / heavy users: Holafly unlimited — no data anxiety.

For a complete comparison, see our best eSIM providers 2026 guide.

Local SIM Cards: Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone

A local Cambodian SIM card remains the cheapest option for stays longer than two weeks. At $2-5 for generous data, Cambodia has some of the most affordable mobile data in Southeast Asia.

Where to Buy

• Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH): Smart, Cellcard, and Metfone counters in arrivals. Under five minutes.
• Siem Reap International Airport (REP): SIM counters available but staffing can be limited.
• Street shops and markets: Available everywhere at phone shops, mini-marts, and market stalls.
• Carrier stores: Official shops in Aeon Mall (Phnom Penh) and Siem Reap’s main tourist streets.

Tourist SIM Comparison

Feature	Smart (Axiata)	Cellcard	Metfone
Price	$3-5	$2-5	$2-3
Data	10-30GB (30 days)	8-25GB (30 days)	10-20GB (30 days)
4G Coverage	Best overall	Strong in cities	Good nationwide
Speed	20-40 Mbps	15-35 Mbps	10-25 Mbps
Rural Coverage	Best	Moderate	Good
English Support	Good	Good	Limited

Smart (Axiata) is the clear winner for most travelers — widest 4G coverage, fastest speeds, and the best English-language support. Cellcard is solid in major cities. Metfone is the budget option with decent but slower coverage.

What you need: Passport. Registration takes under 5 minutes.

WiFi and Broadband in Cambodia

Apartment and Guesthouse Broadband

• Phnom Penh: Newer buildings in BKK1, Tonle Bassac, and Russian Market areas increasingly offer fiber at 30-80 Mbps. Older buildings may have slower connections. Always ask the landlord about speed before signing.
• Siem Reap: Many guesthouses offer 10-30 Mbps. Test before committing.
• Kampot and smaller towns: Highly variable. Mobile hotspot as backup is essential.

Cafe WiFi

Cambodia’s cafe scene has exploded, particularly in Phnom Penh:

• Phnom Penh specialty cafes: 10-40 Mbps. BKK1 and Riverside have dozens of work-friendly options with AC and power outlets.
• Siem Reap cafes: 5-25 Mbps. Charles de Gaulle Boulevard area has quieter, work-friendly cafes.
• Brown Coffee chain: 5-15 Mbps. Consistently reliable with a work-friendly atmosphere.

Important: Never rely solely on cafe WiFi for critical work in Cambodia. Always have a mobile data backup for video calls and deadlines. The combination of a good cafe plus mobile hotspot is the most reliable setup.

Best Coworking Spaces in Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
Factory Phnom Penh	$10	$100	40-80 Mbps	The nomad hub, creative campus
The Desk	$8	$80	30-60 Mbps	Professional, quiet
Emerald Hub	$7	$70	30-50 Mbps	Budget-friendly, central
SmallWorld	$8	$75	25-50 Mbps	Community-focused
Impact Hub	$12	$120	50-80 Mbps	Social enterprise focus

Factory Phnom Penh is the undisputed center of the nomad community — a converted garment factory campus with coworking, private offices, gym, pool, restaurants, and event spaces. Dedicated fiber delivers 40-80 Mbps consistently. The $100/month hot desk is exceptional value compared to Bangkok ($150+) or Bali ($100-200).

Siem Reap

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
Angkor Hub	$5	$50	20-40 Mbps	Community events, welcoming
AngkorHUB Garden	$5	$55	15-30 Mbps	Open-air, garden setting
Workstation Siem Reap	$7	$60	25-40 Mbps	Modern, air-conditioned

Angkor Hub at $50/month or $5/day is one of the cheapest quality coworking spaces in all of Southeast Asia. Reliable enough for video calls during off-peak hours, with regular community events and skill-sharing workshops.

Kampot

Space	Day Pass	Monthly	WiFi Speed	Vibe
Kampot Coworking	$5	$45	10-25 Mbps	Riverside, relaxed

Kampot’s coworking is minimal but growing. The riverside setting and extremely low cost of living attract nomads who prioritize lifestyle over bandwidth.

VPN Recommendations for Cambodia

Do You Need a VPN?

Optional but recommended. Cambodia has relatively light censorship — social media, news, and messaging all work freely. Some gambling and adult content is blocked. Occasional monitoring during election periods has been reported.

Main reasons to use a VPN:

• Public WiFi security — cafe and guesthouse networks are rarely secured
• Streaming access — Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer from your home country
• Banking apps — some banks flag or block Cambodian IP addresses

NordVPN is our top recommendation. Nearby Singapore and Thailand servers provide fast connections. Threat Protection blocks aggressive ads and trackers on unsecured Cambodian WiFi.

Get NordVPN

Surfshark is the budget alternative with unlimited device connections — useful for couples or multiple devices. $2.19/month on the 2-year plan.

Get Surfshark

For the full VPN comparison, see our Best VPN for Travel 2026 guide.

City-by-City Internet Guide

Phnom Penh — 8/10

Cambodia’s connectivity capital and the only city where infrastructure approaches regional standards. 4G blankets the city, fiber is available in many newer buildings, and the coworking scene is maturing.

• Mobile speeds: 20-40 Mbps
• Best neighborhoods: BKK1 (expat epicenter — cafes, restaurants, walkable), Tonle Bassac (newer apartments, better internet), Russian Market/Toul Tom Poung (local, cheaper, growing with budget nomads)
• Power reliability: Improved significantly. One brief outage in our six weeks. Heavy rainstorms can cause short disruptions — a UPS or charged laptop is good insurance.
• Cost of living: $600-1,000/month for a comfortable nomad lifestyle (apartment $250-500, food $150-300, coworking $80-100, transport minimal).

Siem Reap — 7/10

Cambodia’s second most connected city, driven by tourism infrastructure around Angkor Wat. Solid 4G in the town center with Smart delivering 15-35 Mbps.

• Best areas: Charles de Gaulle Boulevard and Wat Bo Road (quieter, work-friendly cafes). River Road (good mix of cafes and restaurants). Avoid basing near Pub Street for focused work.
• Cost of living: $500-800/month — even lower than Phnom Penh.
• Why nomads like it: Extremely affordable, temple complex as your off-work playground, small but tight-knit nomad community centered around Angkor Hub.
• The tradeoff: Lower speeds than PP, fewer coworking options, town slows down during low season (May-September).

Kampot — 6/10

A charming riverside town attracting nomads who prioritize lifestyle over speed. 4G available in town center with Smart providing 10-25 Mbps.

• Best areas: Old French quarter along the riverside, around Old Market.
• Cost of living: $400-600/month — jaw-droppingly cheap.
• The reality: Video calls can stutter during peak hours or rainy weather. Works for writers, designers, and async work. Not ideal for heavy bandwidth or real-time collaboration.

Sihanoukville — 5.5/10

Massive Chinese-led development has transformed it from a beach town into a construction zone. 4G exists in the center but speeds are inconsistent (10-25 Mbps). Nearby islands (Koh Rong, Koh Rong Sanloem) have very limited connectivity — 3-10 Mbps at best.

Nomad verdict: Not currently recommended for remote work. If you want a Cambodian beach base, consider Kampot or Kep instead.

Battambang — 5/10

Cambodia’s second-largest city has basic 4G coverage in the center (10-20 Mbps on Smart) but limited coworking. Wonderful to visit for colonial architecture and the bamboo train — but not set up for serious remote work.

Travel Insurance for Cambodia

Medical infrastructure in Cambodia is limited, and serious medical issues typically require evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore. Travel insurance is essential, not optional.

SafetyWing offers nomad health insurance starting at $45.08/month covering:

• Emergency medical and dental treatment
• Medical evacuation (critical for Cambodia — evacuation to Bangkok for serious conditions is common and costs $10,000-25,000 uninsured)
• Trip interruption and travel delays
• Lost checked luggage
• No fixed end date — renews monthly

Get SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

For a full comparison of insurance options for the region, see our best travel insurance for Asia guide.

Digital Nomad Tips for Cambodia

Visa Options

• Tourist Visa (T-class): 30 days, $30, available on arrival. Extendable once for 30 days.
• e-Visa: Apply online for $36. Faster immigration on arrival.
• Ordinary Visa (E-class): 30 days, $35, available on arrival. Extendable for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months through the EB (business) category. The 12-month extension costs ~$280-300 through an agent. This is the standard path for nomads staying longer than 60 days.
• Digital Nomad Visa: Cambodia has been exploring this but has not formally launched one as of 2026.

Pro tip: For E-class extensions, use a reputable Phnom Penh visa agent. They charge $50-80 above official fees but handle the bureaucracy. Worth it.

The USD Economy

Cambodia uses the US dollar as its primary currency for transactions above ~$1. Pay for apartments, coworking, restaurants, and most services in USD. Small change comes in Cambodian riel (4,000 riel = $1). ATMs dispense USD with a $4-5 fee per withdrawal.

Cost of Staying Connected

Expense	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
Mobile data	$3 (local SIM)	$9 (Saily 5GB)	$20 (Holafly unlimited)
Coworking	$5 (cafe WiFi)	$50 (Angkor Hub)	$100 (Factory PP)
VPN	—	$3 (NordVPN/yr plan)	$3 (NordVPN/yr plan)
Apartment broadband	$10 (if separate)	Included	Included
Total	$18/month	$72/month	$133/month

Even at the premium tier, connectivity in Cambodia costs less per month than a single day pass at many Western coworking spaces.

Practical Tips

1. Choose Smart (Axiata) for your local SIM. Best 4G coverage and speeds. Buy at the airport on arrival. Download the Smart app for easy top-ups.

2. Bring a portable power bank. Cafes outside PP may have limited outlets or occasional outages.

3. Use eSIM as backup, local SIM as primary. For stays over two weeks: local Smart SIM ($3-5) for primary data, Saily eSIM as backup on a different network. Dual-SIM redundancy.

4. Test internet before signing any lease. Run a speed test before committing to an apartment. Fiber availability varies even within Phnom Penh neighborhoods.

5. Protect yourself on public WiFi. Install NordVPN or Surfshark before arriving. Cambodia’s cafe and guesthouse networks are rarely secured.

6. Plan for rainy season. June through October brings heavy downpours that can affect connectivity, especially outside PP. Coworking spaces with dedicated fiber are more resilient than cafe WiFi.

7. Get travel insurance before arrival. Medical evacuation from Cambodia to Bangkok costs $10,000-25,000 without insurance. SafetyWing covers this starting at $45.08/month.

Cambodia Internet: Pros and Cons

Our Testing Methodology

This guide is based on six weeks in Cambodia (January — February 2026). We measured speeds across all three carriers using Speedtest by Ookla, tested in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampot, and Sihanoukville, and used each eSIM provider for at least one full billing cycle. Coworking speeds tested during peak hours (10 AM — 2 PM). Pricing verified directly from carrier shops and eSIM provider apps in February 2026.

Related Guides

• Best eSIM Providers 2026 — Our tested rankings of all major eSIM providers
• Best eSIM for Cambodia — Cambodia-specific eSIM deals
• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — Full VPN comparison for travelers
• Best Travel Insurance for Asia — Insurance options for the region
• Internet in Thailand 2026 — Thailand connectivity guide (a natural next stop)
• Internet in Vietnam 2026 — Vietnam connectivity guide
• Best Countries for Digital Nomads — Where Cambodia ranks globally