{{Short description|Cambodian telecommunications company}} {{Notability|1=Companies|date=August 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox company | name = Smart Axiata Company Limited | logo = Smart Axiata.svg | trade_name = Smart | type = Subsidiary | traded_as = | predecessor = ''Hello Axiata'' and <br/>''Smart Mobile'' | foundation = {{start date and age|2008}} | location = Phnom Penh, Cambodia | key_people = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | staff = | num_employees = 1,000 | assets = | equity = | products = Mobile Telephony<br>Mobile Broadband | industry = Telecommunications | parent = Axiata Group | subsid = | homepage = }}
'''History'''
The Smart brand was established in Cambodia in 2009, when Latelz Co., Ltd. launched mobile services under the name “Smart Mobile”. In December 2012, the Malaysian telecom group Axiata Group Berhad announced the acquisition of Latelz and a strategic merger with its own Cambodian subsidiary, Hello Axiata. Following the completion of the transaction in early 2013, with Axiata holding a controlling stake, the two companies were integrated and officially renamed Smart Axiata Co., Ltd.
Following the merger, the company focused on network expansion and digital transformation. In 2014, Smart became the first operator in the Kingdom to launch 4G LTE services. Over the following decade, the company transitioned from a traditional voice-and-SMS provider into a digital service provider, culminating in the official commercial launch of its 5G network on January 1, 2026.
'''Corporate Governance and Ownership'''
Smart Axiata is a key subsidiary of Axiata Group Berhad, one of Asia’s largest telecommunications groups. While the company began as a joint venture, it is now primarily owned by Axiata Group through its holding entities, Axiata Investments (Cambodia) Limited and Axiata (Cambodia) Holdings Limited.
In September 2025, the company entered a new leadership phase with the appointment of Ritesh Kumar Singh as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Ziad Shatara. Singh, a veteran of the Asian telecom industry with previous leadership roles at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Bharti Airtel, was tasked with overseeing the company’s 5G rollout and its evolution into a converged connectivity and ICT provider.
'''Market Position'''
As of 2026, Smart Axiata serves over 8 million subscribers, representing roughly half of the country’s mobile-using population. The company is recognized for having one of the highest Average Revenues Per User (ARPU) in the local industry, driven by high data consumption and a strong adoption of digital value-added services.
In the 2024 fiscal year, Smart reported an 8.9% growth in revenue, with Profit After Tax and Minority Interest (PATAMI) increasing by 27.2%. These results were attributed to a strategic focus on the enterprise (B2B) segment and the increasing demand for high-speed data.
'''Corporate Social Responsibility'''
Smart Axiata allocates roughly 1% of its annual revenue to social impact programs. Its initiatives are structured around the four pillars of education, community development, environment, and disaster response.
The company’s SmartEdu flagship scholarship and talent development program provides financial support and leadership training to Cambodian university students, while SmartStart, a recurring entrepreneurship program and incubator, is designed to foster the local tech startup ecosystem. In the area of environmental sustainability, the company has committed to the Axiata Group Net-Zero target by 2050. As of 2025, it transitioned a significant portion of its tower sites to solar power. In partnership with the government, Smart also operates the 1294 Early Warning System, which uses SMS broadcasting to alert citizens of natural disasters, such as floods.
'''5G Network'''
Smart Axiata officially launched its 5G network on January 1, 2026. Within the first month, Smart had expanded its 5G footprint from 283 sites to over 600, reaching 21 cities and provinces. The initial deployment focused on high-traffic areas such as Phnom Penh and key tourism and economic hubs like Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
To capitalize on 5G providing faster mobile browsing, low latency, and high-capacity connections, Smart Axiata collaborated with global partners such as Huawei to roll out 5G fixed wireless access for homes and businesses. Smart Axiata has seen significant traction with its 5G network, with over 750,000 daily active users recorded within the first few weeks of operation.
'''Digital and Lifestyle Ecosystem'''
Smart has moved to build a digital lifestyle ecosystem that integrates entertainment, self-care, and financial services. Pleng by Smart, a Cambodian music streaming app, offers over 1 million local and international tracks. It also includes Pleng Pro subscription tiers and a rewards system called Pleng Points. The telco’s self-service app, SmartNas, allows users to manage their number, top up, subscribe to plans and services, check 5G coverage, and redeem rewards with SmartVIP Points, among other features. In 2026, the app serves as the primary interface for over 2 million monthly active users.
Smart Axiata’s SmartVIP loyalty program enables members to get discounts and special offers from brands in Cambodia, as well as redeem rewards such as exclusive merchandise. Membership is obtained by topping up $6 each month, and members can earn SmartVIP Points for reward redemptions by subscribing to plans and activating services.
'''B2B Plans and Services'''
Smart for Business, the company’s B2B brand, offers an ecosystem of telecommunications and digital solutions designed around operational efficiency and connectivity for enterprises in Cambodia. At the core of its B2B mobile offerings are the Smart Corporate and Smart Hybrid+ plans. Smart Corporate provides a structured postpaid solution with benefits including on-net minutes, SMS, and Closed User Group (CUG) minutes to facilitate free internal communication. Smart Hybrid+ combines monthly postpaid benefits with the option for employees to subscribe to additional prepaid services on the same number, often accompanied by hardware subsidies or free devices on long-term contracts.
The operator also provides fixed-line and infrastructure services to support physical office requirements. Smart Fiber+ for Business offers fiber-optic internet with unlimited data, complemented by 5G Wi-Fi solutions for rapid deployment. Smart CloudPBX, meanwhile, replaces traditional hardware with a cloud-based system that allows for multiple lines under a single company number, featuring call management tools like IVR and call recording. Smart for Business also facilitates modern workforce collaboration through Google Workspace by Smart, integrating professional email communication and cloud storage with mobile data benefits.
Smart Fleet Management, meanwhile, utilizes GPS and specialized sensors to provide real-time tracking, driver behavior monitoring, and maintenance analytics, and Smart CheckinMe offers a digitalized approach to staff attendance. The company also addresses professional identity and marketing needs through the Smart eBusiness Card and Smart Sponsored Data, the latter of which allows businesses to pay for their customers’ data usage when they visit their online platforms. Additional utility services include Smart M2M for secure machine-to-machine data transfers and Smart Sponsored Call, which ensures that businesses remain accessible by essentially sponsoring Smart subscribers’ calls to their company number.
'''B2C Plans and Services'''
Smart Axiata’s consumer segment focuses on data and 5G integration, anchored by its flagship Smart Laor! tariff plan family and the new Smart TamChet! plans. These plans are designed with a rollover feature that allows customers to carry forward unused benefits if they renew their subscription before the expiry date. The company also provides the Smart Flexi250 plan, which grants bonus data and on-net minutes with top ups, alongside the Smart Traveller SIM, a specialized offering for short-term visitors that includes pre- minutes and data for use within Cambodia.
Smart Axiata also has additional services available to its customers. Music and entertainment are centralized through the Pleng app, which provides access to millions of songs and podcasts, while Smart Tunes allows users to personalize their dial tones with songs. Customers can also subscribe to Smart VoiceMail, MissedCallAlert, and Smart Dak Luy, which enables users to request airtime transfers from other users. International connectivity is enabled via SmartRoam, covering more than 140 countries.
The company has integrated security into its digital ecosystem through the Smart Cybersecurity add-on . This service protects users with automated secure browsing alerts, data breach notifications for personal information like emails and phone numbers, and customizable content filtering to block inappropriate content and advertisements. A range of data-specific boosters, including SurfLikeCrazy, TalkLikeCrazy, and SocialPack, allow subscribers to tailor their data usage to specific applications or high-usage periods like late-night browsing.
'''Internet Services'''
Alongside its traditional telecommunications products and services, Smart Axiata has also transitioned into becoming a comprehensive internet service provider (ISP) to meet the growing demand for home and enterprise connectivity in Cambodia. Smart Axiata now provides a range of consumer and enterprise internet solutions, utilizing fiber-optic, fixed-wireless, and 5G technologies.
The company’s primary wired service, Smart Fiber+, is a fiber-to-the-home service. For the business sector, Smart Fiber+ for Business offers dedicated bandwidth and scalable speeds tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises and national corporations. The plans include 24/7 technical support and the ability to adjust network capacity based on requirements.
In early 2026, following the official launch of its 5G network, Smart Axiata introduced the 5G Experience trial, allowing both new and existing Smart @Home customers in 5G coverage areas to upgrade their home internet to 5G technology. After the trial concluded in April 2026, the operator launched its permanent 5G @Home service.
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Axiata Group}}
Category:Axiata Category:Vodafone Category:Telecommunications companies of Cambodia Category:Privately held companies of Cambodia Category:Cambodian brands Category:Internet service providers Category:Companies based in Phnom Penh