Cambodia Large Core Fiber Optic Upgrade Version

Cambodia is upgrading its fiber network from GPON to XGS-PON, enabling multi-gigabit speeds up to 10 Gbps and preparing for future 25G PON deployments.

Cellcard, Cambodia's telecom provider, has partnered with Nokia to modernize its residential fiber broadband network. The upgrade involves migrating from GPON to XGS-PON technology, using Nokia Lightspan Optical Line Terminals (OLTs) and the Altiplano Access Controller. This modernization allows multi-gigabit internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps, significantly improving network reliability, scalability, and efficiency while supporting high-bandwidth applications such as gaming, streaming, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) .

• Nokia Lightspan OLTs: Upgrade the fiber network to XGS-PON, supporting up to 10 Gbps and enabling future evolution to 25G PON .
• Altiplano Access Controller: A cloud-native platform providing advanced network automation, SDN control, and service visibility, allowing Cellcard to optimize broadband access services and reduce operational costs and power consumption .
• Coverage Areas: Deployment spans Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and other major cities, ensuring high-speed, low-latency connectivity across key urban centers .

Cambodia's fiber network has doubled from under 20,000 km in 2020 to over 40,000 km in 2025, reflecting rapid infrastructure growth. The country has two established submarine cable systems and a new cable connecting Cambodia to Hong Kong is underway. International bandwidth has increased to nearly 900 Gbps, while terrestrial cross-border bandwidth has tripled to over 1.7 Tbps, providing redundancy and supporting growing demand for high-speed connectivity .

The XGS-PON upgrade positions Cambodia for next-generation broadband services, including 25G PON, and ensures the network can handle increasing data consumption and emerging applications. The combination of high-speed fiber, cloud-native network management, and expanded international connectivity makes Cambodia's broadband infrastructure more resilient, scalable, and capable of supporting advanced digital services .

This upgrade represents a major step forward in Cambodia's digital infrastructure, enhancing both residential and business broadband experiences while preparing the country for future high-capacity, low-latency applications.