The National Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Dividend
Phnom Penh, 27 April 2015-The National Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Dividend (700 MHz Frequency Harmonization) was hosted by the MPTC and the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at Sofitel Phnom Penh hotel. The National Workshop was attended by H.E Francois Rancy Director of ITU Radio-communication Bureau, H.E Doan Quang Hoan, Director General of the Radio Frequency Management Authority of Vietnam, leaders and officials of MPTC, representatives from the Ministry of Information, and telecom operators and vendors.
“The National Workshop today is very important and timely to allow us to discuss the opportunities and risks in seeking the harmonization of the 700 MHz frequency in Cambodia to the frequency of ASEAN’s members, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world for the socio-economic development of Cambodia,” H.E Minister Prak Sokhonn said.
At the opening ceremony, H.E. Prak Sokhonn outlined some key statistics. “Over the past 2 decades, people have gained huge success in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and mobile-cellular for better communication around the world. The number of registered mobile-cellular is now equivalent to the world population -almost 7 billion in 2014. In Cambodia, the number of mobile-cellular subscribers reached 139 percent in 2014, ranking No.3 in ASEAN after Singapore and Malaysia. Internet subscribers’ figure is around 30 percent and is expected to reach 65 percent by 2020 due to the increased demand for communication and the use of databases and information among the youth,” he said.
Digital content and storage of data online called "Big Data” or “Internet of Things” is very popular among the users of the world. It makes things easier for communication between users and product and service suppliers. It also makes it easier for producers and service providers to improve, develop and expand their businesses effectively and efficiently. Therefore, in response to the trend of modernization, Cambodia needs to harmonize the 700 MHz frequency,” he continued.
“Based on our dynamic efforts, I strongly believe that we will be able to overcome all obstacles and will have access to the benefits and opportunities of a digital network connection. We are engaged in a race so we can’t slowdown and hope that through the commitment to harmonize the 700-MHz digital dividend frequency, Cambodia will advance and prosper,” he concluded.
