Whether you are living here in Phnom Penh or just passing through, staying in touch with friends, family and business associates means getting online. Here is a brief overview of your options:
Fixed & Mobile Connections
There are many internet service providers in Phnom Penh. While there are several options that allow unlimited downloads, many set a download limit (500MB or 1GB are common) beyond which you will need to pay a surcharge for any extra bandwidth you use. Prices have continued to fall over the past year or so, though fixed connections are still fairly expensive compared to neighboring countries. Monthly charges vary from about $30 for a 1GB limit running at 1MB/s, with unlimited services now available from less than $80. Some ISPs like Emaxx Telecom offer inexpensive connection via USB dongles that you simply plug into your computer. Emaxx has bundled internet packages starting from $49/month with unlimited use, with a free USB dongle for mobile internet use.
Internet Café
There are still a few internet cafe across the city, with hourly charges typically running between 2,000 (50cents) and $1. You generally get what you pay for, so if you are looking for reasonable speed and scale. If you use a flash-drive or other portable memory system make sure you check it regularly for viruses - many internet cafes do not run adequate anti-virus software and the results can be devastating if you are not careful - instances of complete loss of data have been reported, so it's wise to take a few precautions. It's also a little risky to access your online bank accounts as there is an (admittedly limit) risk of your password detail being hacked if your connection is not secure.
Wifi Services
An increasing number hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and bars in Phnom Penh now offer WI-FI internet access, very often free or charge, though you may need to buy a card with a PIN number (usually about $1/hour). So if you have a laptop you can surf the web and e-mail your friends and associates in the comfort of your hotel room or while enjoying a drink at the bar.
