SIM and eSIM in Cambodia — Smart, Cellcard, Metfone

In 3 bullets

• 3 main carriers: Smart Axiata (most used in cities), Metfone (Viettel — best in rural zones), Cellcard (decent coverage, decent app).
• 5 USD tourist SIM ≈ 30 GB / 15 days at Smart, Metfone offers plans from 1 USD. Much cheaper than a traveller eSIM (Airalo, Holafly).
• Mandatory passport registration: the TRC requires nominative declaration of every SIM. Buy at official kiosks (airport, agency) rather than at neighbourhood phone shops.

Eligibility

To buy a Cambodian SIM (physical or local eSIM), you must:

• Be 18 or over.
• Present a valid passport (visa not mandatory for tourist plans, essential for a long-term subscription).
• Accept the nominative declaration: the TRC (telecom regulator) keeps a national register of SIMs by identity.

A SIM per carrier, per passport is generally the limit (in practice, airport kiosks issue up to 2-3).

3-carrier comparison

Smart Axiata

• Subsidiary of the Malaysian Axiata group — Cambodia leader.
• Very good 4G+ network in cities, 5G rolling out in Phnom Penh.
• Decent SmartNas app (recharge, management, KHQR).
• Rural coverage: decent, slightly below Metfone outside main roads.

Typical plans (to confirm at smart.com.kh):

Metfone (Viettel)

• Subsidiary of Viettel (Vietnamese state telecom group).
• Best rural coverage: provinces, borders, highways.
• Complete My Metfone app.
• French Cambodia veterans / civilian veterans are sometimes put off by the Vietnamese origin.

Typical plans:

Cellcard (CamGSM)

• 100% Cambodian carrier (Royal Group).
• Good urban coverage, weaker in the provinces.
• Decent app, KHQR payment integrated.

Typical plans:

Traveller eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Ubigi…)

If you arrive for less than a week or don’t like swapping physical SIMs, traveller eSIMs work in Cambodia:

• Airalo: 5 USD for 1 GB / 7 days, up to 25 USD for 10 GB / 30 days. Activation in minutes via QR code.
• Holafly: unlimited (but throttled) plans from 30 USD / 7 days. More expensive but no recharge.
• Ubigi: multi-country Asia eSIM, interesting for a Cambodia + Vietnam + Thailand tour.

Cost and duration

All SIMs are prepaid by default. Postpaid (subscription) exists but requires a KH lease + long-stay visa + deposit.

How to buy a SIM

1. At the airport (recommended for arrival)

The Phnom Penh international airport (Pochentong, PNH) and the Siem Reap-Angkor (REP) airport have official kiosks of the 3 carriers just past customs:

1. Present passport + visa (arrival stamp).
2. Choose the plan.
3. Pay in USD or KHR.
4. The agent inserts the SIM, configures APNs, checks the connection.
5. You leave with internet.

Count 10-15 minutes per carrier.

2. In a Smart / Cellcard / Metfone branch

The flagship branches (HQ Phnom Penh, Aeon Mall, Sihanoukville centre…) offer the best prices and advice. Open weekdays + Saturday morning.

3. In a neighbourhood phone kiosk

To avoid for the first SIM: large margins (1 USD SIM resold 5-10 USD), risk of SIM pre-registered to another name (illegal but existing). However, recharges are done everywhere (grocery stores, kiosks, KHQR app).

4. eSIM via app

• Airalo or Holafly: online purchase before departure, activation on arrival by QR code.
• Smart eSIM: Smart offers a local eSIM via their SmartNas app — less documented for foreigners.

Required documents

• Original passport (copies generally not enough at official kiosks).
• Cambodian visa or entry stamp (printed tourist card).
• For a long-term / postpaid plan: KH lease + long-stay visa + 30-100 USD deposit.

Recharging your SIM

Several routes:

• Carrier app (SmartNas, My Metfone, Cellcard): recharge by card or KHQR.
• KHQR or Wing: transfer to the mobile number, instant.
• Cash recharge: neighbourhood kiosks, everywhere, denomination from 1 USD.
• ABA Mobile or ACLEDA Mobile: “Mobile Top-Up” option.

Recharges are in USD: credit displays in USD, automatic conversion to KHR for local communications.

Common pitfalls

FAQ

Need a SIM per person in the family?

Yes, each user must have their SIM registered in their name. For children, registration is generally in the parent’s name (tacit authorisation accepted by carriers).

Does tethering / connection sharing work?

Yes at no extra cost at Smart, Metfone and Cellcard. Ideal for sharing 4G with a laptop when home Wi-Fi weakens.

Can I stay on my French SIM in roaming?

Possible but very expensive (5-10 €/day per FR plan) and 4G often capped at 100 MB/day. For a stay > 24h, a local SIM is cost-effective.

Which carrier for remote work / Zoom calls?

Smart in Phnom Penh (stable 4G+, low latency), Metfone in the provinces (coverage). For HD Zoom calls, complement with Ezecom / SINET fibre at home (see the internet guide).

What impact on 2FA and banking security?

If you see many OTPs arriving on your FR number, you can keep your FR SIM active in a secondary phone (or in eSIM if dual SIM) while using the KH SIM for daily data. Many expats run dual SIM (FR + KH) for years.

How long to activate a SIM?

5 minutes at an official kiosk — the agent inserts, activates, tests in front of you. 30 minutes to 2 hours sometimes for portability of an old KH number or postpaid plans.