How Internet Traffic is Routed in Cambodia របៀបដែលចរាចរណ៍អ៊ីនធឺណិតត្រូវបានបញ្ជូននៅក្នុងប្រទេសកម្ពុជា

Cambodia's internet routing and infrastructure are undergoing significant changes. The country has seen considerable investment in fiber optic networks and international submarine cables, but the potential implementation of a National Internet Gateway (NIG) could drastically alter how internet traffic is handled.

Key Players and Infrastructure

Numerous Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as Metfone, Smart Axiata, Cellcard, Ezecom, SINET, and NeocomISP, form the backbone of Cambodia's internet. These companies operate their own networks to connect users. There's been substantial growth in fiber optic networks across the country, with companies like HyalRoute and WiCAM building extensive terrestrial infrastructure. SINET also boasts a nationwide fiber optic presence.

For international connectivity, Cambodia relies on submarine cables. The AAE-1 (Asia-Africa-Europe 1) cable landed in Sihanoukville in 2017, and there are plans for new, higher-capacity submarine links, including one from Hong Kong to Sihanoukville, to boost international bandwidth. Mobile networks are the dominant form of internet access, with widespread 3G/4G coverage in urban areas and ongoing 5G trials in major cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Phnom Penh serves as the primary internet hub, hosting the majority of IP addresses, Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs), and routers.

How Internet Traffic is Routed

Traditionally, internet traffic in Cambodia flows through a system of ISPs and ASNs. Each ISP has its own ASN, and these systems exchange traffic either by peering directly with each other or by purchasing transit services from larger upstream providers to access the broader internet. Historically, international bandwidth often transited through neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam, but there's a push for more direct international connections via submarine cables to improve speed and reduce reliance on transit.

The National Internet Gateway (NIG) – A Centralized Approach

A significant development is the National Internet Gateway (NIG) decree issued in 2021. This decree mandates that all internet traffic, both domestic and international, must be routed through a single, government-controlled gateway.

The stated objectives of the NIG are to enhance government revenue, protect national security, and preserve social order, culture, and tradition. However, its implications are substantial:

• Centralized Control: The NIG would centralize control over all internet traffic, potentially enabling monitoring, censorship, and data retention (ISPs would be required to retain traffic data for 12 months).
• Impact on Routing: It removes the ability of ISPs to choose their own interconnection points and routing paths, which could lead to less efficient routing, higher costs, and degraded performance (slower speeds and less stable connections).
• Concerns: Human rights organizations and internet freedom advocates have expressed serious concerns that the NIG could undermine internet freedom, privacy, and the open nature of the internet in Cambodia, drawing parallels to China's "Great Firewall."

While the NIG's implementation has been postponed, the decree remains in force, and its eventual activation is still a possibility.

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite progress, Cambodia faces challenges such as a rural-urban digital divide in internet access and speed. Overall internet speeds still lag behind some regional counterparts due to factors like shared international bandwidth, older infrastructure, and frequent disruptions. The Cambodian government is actively promoting investment in digital infrastructure, including fiber optic networks and 5G deployment, and is developing relevant policies. There's also an increasing focus on strengthening cybersecurity and digital safety awareness. Cambodia is also working to reduce its reliance on neighboring countries for internet bandwidth, having recently announced it ceased purchasing bandwidth from Thailand.

In essence, Cambodia's internet routing is a mix of evolving private networks and international connections, but the looming presence of the National Internet Gateway could usher in a more centralized and controlled internet environment, with significant ramifications for internet freedom and performance.