The document discusses forming a national broadband plan for Cambodia and key challenges. It outlines Cambodia's policy aspirations which lack clear targets. Key structural issues that need addressing include the interconnection regime, BWA spectrum allocation, and absence of strong governing structures and policies. The digital dividend presents an opportunity to enable mobile broadband if the 700MHz spectrum is designated for it. Harmonization efforts aim to adopt a harmonized band plan for the 698-806MHz spectrum range to facilitate international roaming and minimize border issues. Overall, a holistic broadband policy is needed that transforms the telecom industry and supports trans-sector policies and digital transformation across sectors.

1. Association of Telecommunications Industry of
Cambodia (“ATC”):
Forming a National Broadband Plan for Kingdom of Cambodia
and its key challenges
A presentation to ITU and TRC by :
Firdaus Fadzil
5 December 2012
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

2. AGENDA
1. Cambodia’s Policy Aspirations
2. Key Structural Issues
3. Digital Dividend
4. Harmonization Efforts
5. Key Takeaways
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

3. CAMBODIA’S POLICY ASPIRATIONS
Absence of well articulated MBB/ICT policy target.
Descriptions of main commitments made by the Government
• In Fourth Legislature, the Government is planning to implement the
• National Strategic following reforms:
Development
Plan 2009-2013 • Expedite the adoption of Law on Telecommunications and
associated legal and regulatory framework;
• Building capacity in the sector;
• Improve and modernise the equipment and technology to ensure
effectiveness and a wider coverage of the services;
• Foster competition to ensure efficiency;
• Increase efficient use of IT system and promote e-government; and
• Build and enhance efficiency of backbone infrastructure.
• Consist of six strategic thrusts i.e. Economic transformation, People
Engagement and Empowerment, Innovation, Infrastructure
• ASEAN ICT Development, Human Capital Development and Bridging the Digital
Masterplan 2015 Divide.
• The Masterplan will be funded via existing ASEAN financing sources
which include the ASEAN ICT Fund, ASEAN Dialogue Partners,
International Organizations and other public and private institutions.
• Progress of commitment has been slow with limited participation from
the industry.
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

4. AGENDA
1. Cambodia’s Policy Aspirations
2. Key Structural Issues
3. Digital Dividend
4. Harmonization Efforts
5. Key Takeaways
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

5. KEY STRUCTURAL ISSUES
Key issues to be addressed to create vibrant MBB market.
Key challenges
1 • Domestic TDM voice traffic is subjected to mandatory transit
Interconnection arrangement which works against any-to-any connectivity principles.
regime and its
wholesale and retail • The interconnection rates favor fixed operators and outdated
tariff (discriminatory).
• Competition rules and pricing control mechanism need to be re-defined
e.g. minimum retail pricing and bundling restriction.
2
• Allocation of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum suitable for
BWA spectrum LTE services have been done on a non-transparent basis.
allocation and
assignment • Spectrum dispute due to overlapping licenses in 2.5 GHz – 2.7 GHz
remain largely unresolved.
• Terms and conditions of the licenses are not publicly available.
• No clear separation of power between Ministry of Post and
Telecommunications (MPTC) and Ministry of Information (MoI).
• No updates on ITU’s Radio communications Law study.
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

6. KEY STRUCTURAL ISSUES
Key issues to be addressed to create vibrant MBB market.
Key challenges
3
• No Telecommunications Law and its implementing regulations.
Absence of strong
governing structure • Issues surrounding the implementation of Cambodia’s commitment to
and policy World Trade Organisation (WTO) especially on matters related to the
transparency.
• The absence of national policy objectives and aspirations create
moving target for the Government.
4
Capacity building • Limited local resources especially experts in the area of technical,
and human capital economic and competition areas.
development
5 • The local content industry is evolving and would require some
incentives to promote the creation of local digital content especially in
Creation of local
local language.
content
• Weak framework in promoting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to
safeguard innovation.
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

7. AGENDA
1. Cambodia’s Policy Aspirations
2. Key Structural Issues
3. Digital Dividend
4. Harmonization Efforts
5. Key Takeaways
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

8. POLICY OBJECTIVES
Creation of positive effects to economy and social
• Economy
• National GDP
• GDP per Capita
• Productivity
• Innovative intensity
• Social
• Better access to efficient and productive public
services
• More informed and engage citizen
• Better quality of life
• Connected community
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

9. DIGITAL DIVIDEND (“DD”)
DD present unique opportunity to enable MBB market.
1. Governments should Number of base stations
recognize the economic
value of 700MHz spectrum, 2 5 7 10 15 20
and move it to more x12
economically efficient use.
x7
2. Governments should
designate the spectrum for x5
mobile broadband x3
services (against x1 x1.5
allocating for PPDR, PMSE
or other services) via
public policy statements.
UHF Band
Source: SCF Associates Study
3. Governments should adopt
the harmonized APT 700 GSMA/BCG Study: Economic Benefits for AP (2014 – 2020)
(2x45MHz) band plan for MBB Broadcast
Region 3.
USD 71 billion
GDP Increase USD729 billion
4. Assign the spectrum at Business Creation 1.1million new biz Very limited
soonest on transparent
basis and push for digital New Jobs Creation 2.3 million < 100,000
switchover by 2017.
Increase in Tax Revenue USD131 billion USD 28 billion
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

10. AGENDA
1. Cambodia’s Policy Aspirations
2. Key Structural Issues
3. Digital Dividend
4. Harmonization Efforts
5. Key Takeaways
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

11. HARMONIZATION EFFORTS (698-806 MHz)
APT Wireless Forum ‘Common View’ 700MHz band plan
Dual
Duplex
due
10 MHz to
limita5ons
to
5
MHz centre gap 3
MHz RF
filters
at
UE
DTTV 45
MHz 45
MHz PPDR/LMR
694
698
806
MHz MHz MHz
Harmonised FDD Arrangement of 698-806 MHz band
DTTV PPDR/LMR
694
698
806
MHz MHz MHz
Critical for Kingdom of Cambodia to adopt 700MHz harmonized band plans (TDD/
FDD):
• Economies of scale => cheaper handsets and network equipment;
• Facilitate international roaming at lower long-term costs; and
• Minimize border coordination issues.
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

12. AGENDA
1. Cambodia’s Policy Aspirations
2. Key Structural Issues
3. Digital Dividend
4. Harmonization Efforts
5. Key Takeaways
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.

13. KEY TAKEAWAYS
Holistic (Mobile) Broadband Policy covering transformation of
the telecom industry as well as trans-sector policy.
1. Policy should be developed based on two-pronged approach:
• Transformation of the telecom industry by addressing the structural issues;
• Trans-sector policies e.g. e-health, tele-education, digital media, e-commerce, smart
grid, Internet of Things, e-government, etc.
2. Government needs to lead the change due to:
• The incumbent telecom industry is reluctant to transform - no clear incentive and
regulatory uncertainty;
• Benefits generated consist of social and economic.
3. Transformation has more to do with national infrastructure than with telecom
infrastructure. Transformation should be based on national policies rather than telecom
policies. As such, government commitment towards the use of that infrastructure from
the trans-sector services is required.
4. For mobile operators, we would like to have a clear and timely policy and regulatory
framework especially on the spectrum management e.g. 700MHz LTE Band, Digital
Switchover .
Association of Telecommunications Industry of Cambodia.