Ministry offers public Wi-Fi to boosts tourism
THE Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has opened Wi-Fi to the public at Ochheuteal and Otres beaches in Preah Sihanouk province to provide free internet service for both locals and foreign guests, aiming to enhance the tourism sector.
According to the ministry’s announcement, local and international travellers can access public wireless services at the locations by scanning a QR code on the ministry’s social media page or at the two sites directly, from December 30.
Ho Vandy, an adviser to the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), viewed the installation of public wireless networks as a generous gift for visitors, allowing them free and easy communication with one another.
“The Wi-Fi installation will also assist tourists in accessing information. Wherever they go, they can connect and communicate. It offers convenience in finding necessary information in the area and location without any additional payment,” he explained.
Vandy encouraged the government, particularly the ministry, to deploy more wireless networks at other tourism sites for the convenience of travellers, especially in remote areas.
Chey Tech, an independent socioeconomic analyst, supports the initiative, noting that it enhances convenience for travellers in sharing information and pictures of tourism sites on social media.
“I would like to suggest the provision of public Wi-Fi of a quality that is usable because in some places public Wi-Fi does not work, or if it does, it is very slow. This makes it difficult to use,” he said.
He urged the government to expand the installation of free wireless networks to other areas of Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and other sites with tourism potential.
In April 2023, during Angkor Sangkran – the three-day festival celebrating Khmer New Year – the ministry in collaboration with the Union of Youth
Federations of Cambodia (UYFC), launched free wireless internet at 16 key locations in Siem Reap town, which are currently still active.