The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction ("MLMUPC") published Instruction No. 001 ("Instruction") on June 16, 2025, to provide guidelines and regulations for investors, developers, and owners of construction projects in the commercial, industrial, residential, and Special Economic Zone sectors. This instruction is a major step toward bringing Cambodia's infrastructure development into line with national goals that aim to update the country's telecommunications infrastructure.
In order to increase infrastructure deployment efficiency, improve public service quality and accessibility, and support socioeconomic development across Cambodia, the instruction requires the integration of telecommunications infrastructure into construction projects in accordance with the Law on Telecommunication (2015) and the Law on Construction (2019).

Required space allocation for telecommunications infrastructure

The Instruction stipulates the following criteria for setting aside specified space in building projects to support telecommunications infrastructure:

1. Sites for antenna stations must be set aside for construction in residential neighborhoods, business districts, special economic zones, vacation destinations, and other relevant locations. The necessary land plots are

• 25m2 (1.5m x 1.5m); and
• 12m2 (either 2m x 6m or 3m x 4m).

2. When installing an IBS system, a minimum of 12 m2 (2 m x 6 m or 3 m x 4 m) must be set aside for equipment installation in commercial buildings, co-owner buildings, retail malls, and residential structures.
3. Developments must incorporate cable pathways that enable the following:

• transport networks,
• mobile services,
• Last-mile network including Fiber Termination Boxes for mobile Internet (FFTH). This infrastructure enables end-users to switch internet operators without requiring the reinstallation of cables.

Required collaboration with telecommunications operators

To guarantee the correct installation and operation of the cable network and IBS system in accordance with national requirements, all construction stakeholders must collaborate with licensed operators.

Implications for investors and developers

This Instruction's publication incorporates a regulatory emphasis on the crucial elements of infrastructure development and urban planning. In order to prevent compliance risks and delays in project approvals, real estate developers and construction project owners now need to include telecommunication readiness in their early project planning. Commercial viability could be impacted by any failure, particularly in a market where digital connectivity is increasingly influencing real estate values.