Huawei – How to turn Phnom Penh into a Smart City

Yesterday Huawei hosted a digital conference titled “Global World: A Purpose Driven Approach to Digital Transformation” and Khmer Nights went to find out what a future digitized Phnom Penh might look like.

The event was led by Peter Goulding, Global Public Expert for Huawei Europe, and was attended by many local businesses as well as Cham Prasidh, the Cambodian Minister of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

What was the main crux of the event?

The talk revolved around how technology can help cities such as Phnom Penh run better, improve the environment, and streamline things such as government services for its citizens. But, what specific technology could help the already vibrant Phnom Penh jump into the 4th industrial revolution?

How Smart a City is Phnom Penh already?

Those of us who have spent a fair bit of time in Cambodia will remember when it was a bit of a technological wasteland, with not only cash being king, but even simple tasks like getting a Tuk-Tuk essentially being a game of Russian Roulette. 

To read a guide on Taxi Apps in Cambodia click here

But, things have changed a lot over the last 5 years, with Covid in particular pushing Cambodia and Phnom Penh that extra digital mile. We can now top-up our phones, pay bills, get good (and bad) food delivered, as well as make cashless payments, something almost unthought of 5 years ago. 

This has been largely driven by the private sector, and a large part of the discussion was based on how governments could learn from the sector in making life easier for citizens. 

What can’t we currently do digitally?

When it comes to everyday life, there are a number of things that would make life a damned sight easier if we could do them online.

Opening a business in Cambodia is point-in-case here. Technically you can open a company online, but in reality the system does not work and you still need to use consultancy firms to get things set up correctly. This is costly and time-consuming, the exact thing the online portal was set up to avoid. 

Another innovation that would be on my personal digital Christmas wish list would be in fixing my visa. Yes, you can get a tourist, or business e-visa online, but renewals still involve cost, running around, and good old-fashioned paperwork. 

With the innovations we have seen through the private sector, surely these are things the government could do with the right help.

How to turn Phnom Penh into a Smart City – Huawei to the rescue?

Huawei has obviously had a lot of bad press and indeed controversy, but if this event was anything to go by they are deeply entrenched in the digital transformation of many developed and developing countries. So what can Phnom Penh gain from the Huawei experience in other countries?

Responding to a question from Khmer Nights on what Phnom Penh could learn from London, Peter Goulding replied that while the city could take a lead from how London had “embraced the Cloud”, it was more important to get in a team of professionals and design a plan specifically for the needs of the local population, whatever they may be. 

And if Phnom Penh gets 5G who cares?

The event was brought to a close with a short speech from the head of Huawei Cambodia, where he stated that the company was at the forefront of helping develop 4G, 5G, and broadband throughout the Kingdom, sectors that not only drastically need improving, but would greatly benefit the country.

And let’s be honest, so long as we get faster internet, do you really care who has provided it?

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