Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 31 – As part of an effective response to COVID19, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) digital infrastructure and system are core inputs for economies and the well-being of societies. Following government’s instruction to minimize the spread of the virus, the world has shifted its lifestyle dramatically by practicing social distancing and lockdown, creating communication gap and economic costs. Significantly, information and communications system has been lowering such economic costs by easing away the gap between people and increase the effectiveness of overall response to the virus. Things like QR Health Code, regular working from home and online education are key examples of ICT infrastructure’s contribution to the post-pandemic society. In broad terms, superior and universal Mobile Broad Band & Home Broad Band networks promote digital/social inclusion, which is key ITU objective and contribute to GDP increases. Countries with such infrastructure may have less impact from COVID19, because they have acquired the digital alternatives to withstand the external shock of COVID19.

Governments and regulation agencies around the world have identified the potential need for action. Regulators aim to establish the connection between government and telecommunication operators via agreed network standards and operator-friendly policies.

A prime example is Malaysia Jendela national broadband plan launched in 2020. The COVID19 pandemic revealed several areas of improvement required in the country’s digital infrastructure. During pandemic, internet traffic increased by 70% and shifted heavily towards residential areas by 70%. Internet speed also decreased by 30%~40%. As negative effect emerges, complaints on internet speed, coverage and indoor experience increased by 40%~70%. In answer to the increasing complaints, Jendela as a comprehensive digital infrastructure plan was introduced. The project targets include expanding 4G population coverage from 91.8% to 96.9%, 4G download data speed from 25Mbps to 35Mbps, and premises coverage for fixed broadband from 4.95 million to 7.5 million by 2022.

In order to help operators accelerate the project delivery to achieve national aspiration, Malaysia has identified 4 key policy. Operators would get blanket approval from States and PBTs to approve the digital infrastructure deployment to meet the goal. Secondly operators would have access to federal owned lands and buildings to develop infrastructure in order to improve network quality, Digital infrastructure will be planned, deployed and treated as public utility. In the end, there will be standardization of electricity tariff for communication service based on industrial rates.

Through close scrutiny by the Jendela Implementation Committtee (JIC), the industry has constructed an additional 1024 new 4G network towers and upgraded approximately 25,064 existing base stations with 4G technology from September 2020 to September 2021 in urban and suburban areas, fiber optic premises pass increased 1.47 million premises according to Jendela 4th quarterly report. As the result of the joint effort among government, operators and vendors, 4G coverage has improved to 94.03%, wireless download speed has increased to 31.34Mbps and fiber coverage increased to 6.42 million.

Malaysia Jendela serves as a benchmark role model in Asia-Pacific region for countries aiming to improve national ICT infrastructure. Other countries in Southeast Asia also took the initiative to accelerate ICT infrastructure development. For example, Bangladesh released new spectrum and supportive site infra policy to help operator improve 4G coverage and quality. In Indonesia, regulators released policies including spectrum neutrality and optical fiber improvement to optimize the quality of 4G network services. Additionally, operators in Indonesia can utilize national USO funding to promote 4G coverage in rural areas.

Cambodia ICT infrastructure could refer to similar cooperation tactic to improve its network quality. According to data show by Speedtest Global Index, Cambodia ranked 102 among 138 nations/economics participated in mobile experience with median 16.51Mbps and 115 among 181 nations/economics with 18.96Mbps of fixed network experience. There are still a gap between Cambodia and the rest of the ASEAN countries.

Ministry of Post and Telecommunication (MPTC) has also spoke up and taken action in Cambodia starting from Phnom Penh. Minister Chea Vandeth has invited to a meeting with the citizens to find solutions to promote the quality of telecommunications services in Borey. To respond to the challenges of citizens living in Borey in Phnom Penh about the quality of mobile phone and internet services, minister recognized the challenges caused by mobile services that effects working, business and learning during the pandemic. He also acknowledged that the service quality problem has been around for many years. In order to solve the challenges, MPTC would form a team with measurement equipment to solve problem directly in Borey. The task force would be in cooperation with Borey owner and telecommunication operators to solve any challenges to improve services. Additionally, supportive policies like passive infrastructure site/tower/fiber openness has been launched. Positive results can be expected in the future.

Owners of Borey commented appreciating words in MPTC’s Facebook comment sections and urge the help from joint team. With new infrastructure built, house owners in Borey can enjoy improved service with affordable price. For mobile operators, cooperation with MPTC would result in more policy in favor of quicker delivery and easier site acquirement. Refraining from fierce price war only among operators, instead all operators in Cambodia can focus on their unified goal: building a better connections for the people of Cambodia.

In addition to network connectivity, network security and resiliency is also crucial for modern ICT infrastructure. Organizations like GSMA and 3GPP have also been working with industry stakeholders to promote NESAS Security Assurance Specifications and independent certifications.

We are glad to see Cambodian regulators also making related policy and decree to drive ICT digital infra sustainable development and telecoms quality of service improvement. On the pathway towards a better connected future, Huawei will support the people of Cambodia and operators with cutting-edge ICT digital technology. We continuously support operators to maintain network reliability and resilience during traffic surge and digital fighting with COVID19 during pandemic period. Since January 2021, even in the toughest times, Huawei has helped operators develop and improve more than 1500 sites. Operators successfully improved spectrum efficiency and increased the population coverage while reducing end to end cost per GB by leading technologies such as massive MIMO. Huawei’s leading innovative solutions such as RuralStar and green energy can help to bring a better life to the people in need, bridging the digital divide for even the remote rural area. Huawei will continuously contribute to Digital Cambodia ICT transformation, work together with industry partners, connect the unconnected, explore new possibilities, and bring digital to every person, every home and every organization for a fully connected, intelligent world!

Op-Ed by Zhao Yingjie,
Huawei Cambodia, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Vice president, Product & Solution
=FRESH NEWS