Digital

Overview

The digital infrastructure and access in Cambodia has been rapidly increasing. In 2021, mobile coverage extends across the whole population and 96% covered by at least a 4G network. However, internet access is lower. In 2019, 50% of households had access to the internet and only 8% had access to a computer at home. Further, only 30% of rural households had access to the internet. Internet use is also substantially greater in ages 15-24 (86%) compared to >25 years old (44%) and <15 years old (5%).

The lack of digital access highlighted the importance and challenge of digital literacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government of Cambodia moved teaching to online mode and students had to learn online from their phones, however, not all families in Cambodia had access to phones (72% of individuals in 2019). Digital skills remain a challenge across the country.  Less than 30% of the population have basic digital skills (such as using a spreadsheet), less than 3% with intermediate skills (such as connecting and installing new devices) and less than 1% with advanced skills (such as finding, downloading and configuring software). 

Cambodia is a partner country of the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Cambodia’s 2017-2026 strategy sets out the country’s aims to help realise forest solutions to the climate emergency by avoiding carbon emissions and fostering carbon sequestration. Advances in geospatial technology and artificial intelligence have been effective to combat illegal activities in protected areas and identifying disturbances in real time. Drones are occasionally used for heat sensing especially for monitoring animal numbers. 

Current situation

Many people have access to basic phones in Pu Ngaol, especially younger generations. Smartphones are less common. Mobile connectivity is generally good in the rural area through the provider Metfone. There is a local shop in the nearby Toul village that sells credit for approximately 4,000 riel ($1 USD) to buy around 2 gigabytes of data, which typically lasts a week. A banking institution, Wing, is also available at the same store, which is popular across the country to transfer money and pay for goods. It is widely used in rural areas due to its low cost and ease of use, and suitability for transferring small amounts of money via text messaging. There are no laptops, tablets or access to broadband in Pu Ngaol. Memang commune meetings by community leaders are all paper-based. The local school doesn’t have any electrical or electronic devices.

The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, the ancestral and contemporary home of the Bunong people, is one of Cambodia’s largest and most successful REDD+ projects. An ‘avoided deforestation model’, using satellite data to model forest loss that would have taken place in the absence of a protective project. This data is used to generate carbon credits that are purchased to offset carbon emissions. Profits are used to support the protection development of communities in and around the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.  

Rangers employed by the government, as well as the community patrol agents, conduct forest monitoring and protect the forests from illegal activities (logging, mining and hunting). Communication is essential for the safety of the rangers, and coordination and deployment of services in the forests. There is no mobile reception in the forests and radio communication is the only reliable form of communication. There are three antennas in the Pu Ngaol area that provide 70% radio coverage. Radio devices are typically charged by small solar panel charging systems or motorbike powered systems. However, radio devices are often unreliable as batteries run out quickly. 

Projects

7. Digital technology to protect biodiversity and improve sustainability

Monitoring forest loss remotely is helping to formulate policies and strategies to address deforestation. Currently, rangers spend long periods of time patrolling forests to monitor forest health and checking for illegal logging, land clearances and illegal hunting. What ideas can you come up with to protect biodiversity or encourage more sustainable use of resources? 

8. Digital technology to increase resilience to the effects of climate 

Cambodia is badly affected by floods and droughts on a seasonal basis. Rising waters drown livestock, ruin crops, sweep away savings and bring mosquitoes and diseases. When the water level in the Ou Te River rises, it can cause flooding and prevent crossings. What digital ideas can you come up with to better identify, understand and visualise flood risks to vulnerable communities? 

9. Digital technology to improve health outcomes

The remoteness of Pu Ngaol and the Memang community means medical centres are limited by the support and services they can provide. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired innovations in communication, technology and social behaviour change for other health initiatives and campaigns in Cambodia with low outreach. What ideas can you come up with to leverage digital technology to improve access to health services remotely, while taking into account the lack of access to and requirement of digital skills? 

10. Digital technology to access education and employment opportunities

Rural communities have good wireless internet infrastructure but reduced access to connectivity due to hardware limitations, digital skills and age demographics.  Many residents work in agriculture or labouring jobs due to Pu Ngaol’s remote location. They are less able to take advantage of education and employment opportunities that could lead to more fulfilling and productive lives.  What ideas do you have to increase access to global education and employment opportunities for the Pu Ngaol community?