Digital Divide Expands in Cambodia: Phnom Penh Forum Highlights Gaps in Access and Safety

While Phnom Penh is advancing with the latest tech, Siem Reap, my new home in Cambodia, still faces a digital divide that leaves many without safe and affordable internet access. The 4th Phnom Penh Internet Forum, held on September 14, 2026, brought to light these disparities, particularly concerning digital literacy and user protection.

Sin Bolai from the Conserve Indigenous Peoples Languages Organization (CIPL) highlighted that 72.5% of the population uses smartphones, but only 28% have access to electricity in remote areas. This stark contrast between urban and rural Cambodia is a familiar story in many developing nations. In Siem Reap, while the temples attract tech-savvy tourists, the local community still lags behind in digital connectivity.

The forum emphasized the need for infrastructure development, digital literacy training, and affordable access. Hieng Omouy of Asia Digital Technology Innovation stressed the importance of digital skills and responsible use, noting that more than 10 million people use the internet, but digital literacy remains a challenge.

For expats and digital nomads like myself, who rely heavily on the internet for work and communication, these issues are more than just academic. Siem Reap's slower internet speeds and higher costs compared to Phnom Penh make it a less attractive option for those needing consistent and reliable connectivity. The lack of public internet services and limited digital skills among the local population mean that the benefits of digital technology are not evenly distributed.