Author: Editor

Trains in Cambodia are a scenic and comfortable way to travel, but it’s important to know that the railway network is still under development. Currently, there are only two operational lines.

Cambodia has a limited railway system primarily used for transporting goods. The state-owned company Royal Railways of Cambodia (RRC) operates the railway system. However, the infrastructure is in poor condition, making it unreliable and inefficient for both passengers and cargo. Despite these challenges, the government has announced plans to improve and expand the railway system in the future to enhance connectivity and boost economic growth.

One of the most active railway routes in Cambodia is the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville route, which connects the capital city to the main port. This route is mainly used for freight transportation and takes approximately 6 hours.

Another route is the Phnom Penh-Poipet route, which connects Phnom Penh to the border town of Poipet. It serves as an alternative route to the busy National Road 5 and is also primarily used for freight transportation.

The Battambang-Poipet route connects the city of Battambang to the border town of Poipet and is predominantly used for freight transportation.

As I prepare to travel to Battambang tomorrow, I have decided to take a different route this time and try the train instead of booking a bus or van ticket on BookMeBus. It’s noteworthy that the train service in Cambodia exists, and there is a Cambodia Railway Station.

To book train tickets, you don’t need to physically visit the Cambodia Railway Station. The Royal Railways website provides an online platform (available in English and Khmer) where you can check train routes, schedules, and prices. A one-way ticket from Phnom Penh to Battambang province costs around $10, and there are currently two schedules per day. I opted for the early morning departure. While the price is slightly higher compared to a bus ticket, the journey duration is a bit longer.

For secure payment, it is recommended to use PayPal. Payment methods from ABA or Acleda banks are not available, but you can use Wing Bank, which is owned by the same company group that operates the Cambodian train service.

If you’re interested, you can subscribe to Cambopedia on YouTube for videos of the train journey.

In recent years, Cambodia has made significant renovations and upgrades to its railway system. The reopening of the Phnom Penh Royal Railway Station in 2010 marked a turning point. Traveling across Cambodia by train has become more accessible and convenient. This page provides useful information about train schedules, stations, and routes.

From Phnom Penh, you can take a train to Sihanoukville, Takeo, Kampot, and soon to Poipet. The cost of a one-way ticket for an air-conditioned train trip is under $10.

To book a train ticket, you can call (+855) 78 888 582 or (+855) 78 888 583, or book online through the Royal Railways website.

Here is a list of railway stations in Cambodia:

Western line: Phnom Penh, Pursat, Moung Ruessei, Battambang, Sisophon, Poipet
Southern line: Phnom Penh, Takéo, Damnak Chang Aeur (Kep), Kampot, Veal Renh, Sihanoukville

It’s good to know that Cambodia has a 612 km (380 mi) metre gauge rail network, with rails measuring 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) in width.

Cambodia is on the cusp of launching 5G technology, but a specific launch date hasn’t been announced yet.

The introduction of 5G technology in Cambodia is scheduled for 2021. In order to support 5G networks, the Cambodian government and mobile service providers have been upgrading the nation’s telecom infrastructure.

The Cambodian government has set a target of 2023 for the commercial rollout of 5G networks. In order to achieve this goal, the government has allocated 200 MHz of spectrum for 5G use. The government has also established a task force to oversee the development and deployment of 5G in Cambodia.

Several mobile operators in Cambodia have expressed interest in deploying 5G networks. Cellcard, Metfone, and Smart Axiata have all announced plans to launch 5G networks in 2023.

The rollout of 5G in Cambodia is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economy. 5G is expected to boost economic growth by creating new jobs, attracting foreign investment, and improving productivity. 5G is also expected to improve the quality of life for Cambodians by providing faster and more reliable internet access.

For both home and commercial users, the objective is to deliver quicker, more dependable, and wider internet access.

It is anticipated that the adoption of 5G would increase prospects for innovation and growth across a range of industries, including banking, healthcare, and education.

But there are obstacles to 5G technology development as well, including a shortage of infrastructure, financial resources, and experienced labor in the sector.

In 2019, Cellcard announced it’s the first to launch real 5G trials in Cambodia, with speeds reaching 1.6Gbps.

What’s 5G?

The newest mobile network technology, known as 5G, was created to connect anything and everyone, including machines, objects, and other gadgets. It provides higher reliability, more capacity, lower latency, faster speeds, and an enhanced user experience. With the help of 5G technology, new opportunities and industries are connected.

With peak data rates of up to 20 Gigabits per second (Gbps) and average data rates of more than 100 Megabits per second (Mbps), 5G is much faster than 4G.

Smart Mobile 3G / 4G / [5G in Phnom Penh coverage map, Cambodia](https://www.nperf.com/en/map/KH/1821306.Phnom-Penh/208642.Smart-Mobile/signal/)

5G in neighboring nation Thailand

Thailand is currently implementing 5G technology. The nation intends to modernize its current mobile network infrastructure so that it can accommodate 5G services and give people access to faster internet speeds, lower latency, and better connectivity. The Thai government is also collaborating with telecom firms to hasten the rollout of 5G networks throughout the nation.

Through the employment of cutting-edge 5G technologies, the goal is to transform Thailand into a digital hub in Southeast Asia and stimulate innovation and economic growth there.

Factory Phnom Penh is a vibrant and innovative creative hub located in the heart of Cambodia’s capital city. It is a dynamic space that brings together entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and creators from various fields to collaborate and showcase their talents.

If you’re a digital nomad, a tech startup founder, or freelancer, looking for a workspace where you can also connect with others essential. While the concept of co-working spaces in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh has been around for some years, finding a few of the best isn’t easy. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you about Factory Phnom Penh, the city’s largest co-working space or hub of tech startups in Cambodia.

Once a 3.4-hectare garment factory complex, this Factory Phnom Penh houses about 60 startups building the digital economy of the future. A lot of big and small tech and creative events happen here.

Pros:

– Unite most of Phnom Penh’s startups in one large community

Cons:

– Not in the heart of Phnom Penh city

Address: 1159 NR2, Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh’s tech startup co-working spaces

Shared offices or co-working spaces are the best workplaces or hubs for tech geeks and emerging entrepreneurs to work and collaborate. They’re very popular in cities around the world, including in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

In Cambodia’s largest city alone, there are many co-working spaces tailored for tech startup people and digital nomads. In addition to providing collaborative workspaces, the most sought-after coworking spaces are the ones where people can get their work done: productivity. To meet this need, tech hubs like Emerald Hub (permanently closed), TekHub, ImpactHub, Trybe, and AngkorHub (Siem Reap) strive to offer fast fiber optic Internet connections.

Also: [The Best Internet Providers in Cambodia: Guide](https://cambopedia.com/internet-providers-cambodia/)

ImpactHub Phnom Penh

Is one of the most popular coworking spaces in Boeng Keng Kang 3. Not just an ordinary shared workplace, [ImpactHub](https://phnompenh.impacthub.net) has a lot to offer to startup people with events and programs that connect and foster entrepreneurship. Always a full house, the ImpactHub has high speed fiber Internet connection for the hub people. ImpactHubbers (as they call themselves) can focus on their work and productivity, not the Internet speed.

Factory Phnom Penh

[Factory Phnom Penh](http://www.factoryphnompenh.com/) is the newest, largest co-working space that’s not in the heart of Phnom Penh. Location: 1159 National Road 2, Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

SmallWorld Cambodia

A shared workspace for early startups and freelancers in Toul Kork district. Co-founded by eccentric Cambodian Rithy Thul, SmallWorld helps grow and nurture a number successful startups in Phnom Penh. Teams like Codingate and Chenla Media spent their early years bootstrapping in this not yet crowded district before heading out for a new place.

TekHub

Located in The Asia Foundation office, TekHub is a sister coworking space of ImpactHub. One of the permanent tenants is Codingate, headed by Sopheak Monkol, a Cambodian entrepreneur named recently in Forbes magazine in 30 Under 30 2017.

Trybe

Trybe is the latest coworking space. Also a maker-space, Trybe is located just opposite the French Institute Of Cambodia. It sets itself apart from Emerald Hub, ImpactHub, and TekHub for it’s a place where people make things (hardware like 3D printing and Arduino programming). ARC Hub PNH and System Experts are the permanent tenants at Trybe.

Sok Leap of System Experts, a technology consulting company, told me that “A modern coworking space has a lot to offer to startups. A hub for co-working, networking, and building things that matter. Fast and stable Internet is an integral part of the makerspace like Trybe.” Currently, System Experts manages the WiFi system for the whole Trybe, which uses Fiber Pro 50Mbps connection.

Emerald Hub

A large space on the 11th floor of Phnom Penh International University (PPIU), this first Emerald Hub offers private rooms for established businesses as well as desks for freelancers and startup teams. One of Cambodia’s successful startup BookMeBus has its own private room there. The Emerald Hub has its second location in Beng Keng Kang 3, too.

AngkorHUB

In Siem Reap, a tourist town popular for Angkor Wat, [AngkorHub](https://angkorhub.com/) is more than just a coworking. Well, it’s also co-living place. While most places mentioned in this blog post are shared offices, AngkorHub is the only place that also offers accommodation in addition to the collaborative working environment.

BioLAB Coffee & Office

According to PlacesToWork.net, there are at least 15 best coworking spaces/cafes in Siem Reap. [BioLab Coffee & Office](https://www.biolabcafe.com/) is on top on the list. Located on Wat Bo Road, it’s a nicely designed coffee shop and shared office in one. Eat, work, study, and relax all in the BioLab Coffee & Shop?

More Co-Working Places You Should Know

– [Regus co-working space in Phnom Penh](https://www.regus.com.kh/)
– [The Desk](http://thedeskcambodia.com/)
– [Outpost Cambodia](https://www.thegreenpenthouse.com/)

What makes Phnom Penh a smart city? And what makes you a smart commuter and traveler? While Phnom Penh doesn’t have to be Asia’s Silicon Valley, local entrepreneurs can look for inspiration from there, where startups want to change the world, the way we travel and commute to work.

When Cambodian startup founders want to create new technology-driven solutions, they start with a strong focus on the daily challenges facing the very ordinary people. It’s a really good start. And a space and community like the Factory Phnom Penh for a lot of Cambodian startups and founders hang out together is a good sign.

The technology startup community in the Cambodian capital city has been growing remarkably in the past five years. One thing to note is the growing number of co-working spaces. In Phnom Penh alone, there are almost ten venues dedicated to those who start to execute their ideas. It’s as if the future of shared space is here to stay.