Temple stonework in Cambodia
Widest coverage

Metfone

Travellers heading beyond the main towns - Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear, the islands.

In short

Metfone is Cambodia's largest mobile network, run by the Vietnamese operator Viettel, and it has the widest rural coverage of any provider. If your trip goes beyond Phnom Penh and Siem Reap - into the northeast, the Cardamoms or the smaller islands - Metfone is the safest single choice.

Checked

September 2026

At a glance

Metfone in brief

Operator
Viettel Cambodia
Market position
Largest network, roughly half of all Cambodian mobile subscribers
Coverage
The broadest national footprint, including rural provinces where other networks thin out
Network
4G nationwide; 5G in Phnom Penh and selected zones of 14 provinces since January 2026
eSIM
Available
Tourist plans
A dedicated tourist line with short-duration data packages
Where to buy
Airport arrival counters, Metfone shops in every provincial town, most phone shops
Registration
Your passport, with a valid visa or e-Arrival record

Metfone is operated by Viettel, the Vietnamese military-owned telecoms group, and it has been the largest network in Cambodia for years. Its advantage is simple and it matters more than speed test results: it reaches places the others do not.

On a Phnom Penh and Angkor itinerary, any network will do. The moment your trip includes Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear, Koh Rong Sanloem or the back roads of Battambang province, coverage stops being an abstraction. Our guides carry Metfone for exactly this reason – it is the network most likely to have a bar of signal when a vehicle needs help on a provincial road.

What to expect on speed

Metfone’s national coverage comes at some cost to peak speed in the cities, where Smart has historically tested faster. For messaging, maps, ride-hailing and uploading photos, the difference is not something you will notice. For tethering a laptop and working from a cafe in Phnom Penh, it might be.

Getting one on arrival

There is a Metfone counter in the arrivals hall at both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports, and shops in every provincial town. Bring your passport – SIM registration against a passport is a legal requirement in Cambodia, and while some small shops skip it, an unregistered SIM can be cut off without warning.

Official website

Questions travellers ask

Is Metfone the best network in Cambodia for travellers?
It is the best choice if your itinerary leaves the main tourist corridor, because it has the widest rural coverage. For a trip that stays in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Smart is generally faster.
Does Metfone work at Angkor?
Yes. All the main networks cover Siem Reap and the Angkor Archaeological Park, though signal can drop inside the larger temple enclosures.
Can I get a Metfone eSIM before I arrive?
Yes, Metfone supports eSIM, which means you can be connected the moment you land instead of queuing at a counter.
SIM cards & mobile data

Compare the alternatives

All of them
Fastest in the cities

Smart (Smart Axiata)

City-based trips, remote work, and anyone who wants the smoothest data experience in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

 Cambodian-owned

Cellcard

Travellers who want a simple, short tourist package and are staying on the main routes.

 The fourth network

yes 018 (formerly Seatel)

Short city stays where an unlimited-data day pass is more convenient than a data allowance.