[2023 Latest]Best eSIMs on a trip to Cambodia｜with communication speed verification

I verified the eSIM for travelers that can be used in Cambodia locally.

I used multiple eSIMs for travelers in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, so this is a review.

• Airalo
• MOGO eSIM
• soracom mobile

I actually tried using the above three.

*The terminal used this time is an iPhone, but it can also be used on Android terminals other than Soracom Mobile.

There are many eSIMs for tourists that can be used in Cambodia other than these three, but this time I chose Airalo and MOGO eSIM for cost performance and past experience, and Soracom Mobile for convenience. However, there are many other attractive eSIMs, so if you are considering one, please check them out on  ↓.

List of eSIMs that can be used in Cambodia - Compare prepaid data plans for international travelers

Easily compare travel eSIMs and data plans for Cambodia. Let's search for cheap and recommended prepaid eSIM from rates, reviews and reviews.

By the way, the WiFi at the hotel I stayed at was pretty unstable, so eSIM was a big help. After all, relying on hotel WiFi is dangerous.

The three eSIMs I tried this time are all data only. A local phone number is not included.

Airalo

Airalo is probably the most popular eSIM for travelers. Both the website and the mobile app are sophisticated, and the comprehensive power of usability and cost performance is high.

I'm also happy that it supports Japanese as well. Below is the official website.

Local and regional eSIMs for travelers

Data packs at local prices. Manage your eSIM with Airalo and top up on the go.

Airalo

Airalo official website (Japanese version)

Airalo's eSIM price and purchase method etc.

💡

Use the promo code "  10 " for a 10% discount !

Looking at Airalo's official website , the eSIM for Cambodia is named Connect Cambodia and offers the following three data plans.

This time, I purchased the 1GB plan because I was on the premise of trying multiple eSIMs, but the 3GB and 5GB plans are probably the best to aim for in terms of GB unit price .

Use 10% off promo code  10 to get the 5GB plan down to just over $12. 3GB seems to be enough for a short stay.

In addition, Airalo's eSIM purchase method and installation method are summarized in the following article, so please refer to it when purchasing for the first time.

How to buy and install Airalo's eSIM

A comprehensive explanation of how to purchase an Airalo eSIM data plan and how to activate it.

Latest Travel eSIM News |   Blog

For iPhone, it is easy because you can install eSIM directly from the app without QR code.

Airalo eSIM communication quality in Phnom Penh

After arriving at Phnom Penh International Airport, I set the installed Airalo eSIM to "mobile data communication", turned on data roaming, and immediately connected to the Internet . (If you wait for several tens of seconds, it should be connected.)

The local carrier was smart and grabbed 4G .

Connecting to Smart 4G in Phnom Penh

There were generally no problems with the signal status, but there were times when some spots were out of range, and data was clogged up even though the signal was up. Sensitively, several times a day.

In Cambodia, Smart, cellcard, and Vietnamese capital Metfone are major carriers, but in Phnom Penh, Smart or cellcard seems to be a safe choice. There seems to be no big difference between the two, and both seem to have weak areas. So there is no absolute sense of security like in Japan where you can connect to docomo or au anywhere in the city.

And if you go to rural areas, Metfone seems to have better signal in many cases.

communication speed

Below are the speed test results from Phnom Penh International Airport, around BKK1, and around Wat Phnom in order from the left.

Overall, the numbers were not so bad. However, I feel that it was faster than this when I used it last year, but it may be my imagination.

This eSIM is roaming via Singapore, so Ping is about 60-80 milliseconds. This is relatively good in roaming communication, and I didn't feel much delay as a bodily sensation.

(Rakuten Mobile has a delay many times larger than this.)

It was stable in terms of speed, but it was a little disappointing that it sometimes went out of service and data was clogged . When I asked the local people, it seems that it happens with both Smart and cellcard, so I think it's a problem with the local communication infrastructure .

In addition, Airalo is safe because you can check the remaining amount of data and purchase additional data from the mobile application.

Although it is in English, it can also be set in Japanese

By the way, Internet sharing (tethering) was also usable without problems . It was useful when the wifi in the hotel didn't work at all.

summary

I have used Airalo several times in the past, and I have the impression that it was almost as expected in Cambodia this time.

It's not super cheap, but you can buy it in advance in Japan and it's easy to install, so it should be useful for short-term stays such as sightseeing.

If there is no particular problem with roaming via Singapore and the roaming destination in Cambodia is Smart, I think it is an eSIM that is reasonably satisfactory in both cost performance and communication speed.

Local and regional eSIMs for travelers

Data packs at local prices. Manage your eSIM with Airalo and top up on the go.

Airalo

Airalo official website

Don't forget to use the 10% OFF discount code "  10 ".

MOGO eSIM

MOGO eSIM is also a prepaid eSIM service for travelers with many inexpensive data plans.

Get your FREE eSIM here-MOGO eSIM

Travel around the world with MOGO eSIM. Instant roaming connection with prices lower than local rates. No physical SIM needed. Come check it out now!

MOGO eSIM Official Site (English)

Unfortunately, Japanese is not supported, but purchasing from the website is relatively easy.

Cambodia plan price

*Information at the time of writing.

There are a total of 6 data plans available in Cambodia.

MOGO eSIM has plans that are frequently sold at sale prices, and this time the 5GB/5 days plan was cheaper.

So this time I purchased the 5GB/5 days plan.

Communication quality of MOGO eSIM in Phnom Penh

The local setup method is the same as Airalo, just enable data roaming and assign it to mobile data communication.

It took a little longer than 1 minute to be able to communicate.

Airalo was Smart, but MOGO eSIM is connected to cellcard . It was always 4G display.

Connecting to cellcard 4G in Phnom Penh

More than 90% of the time, the signal was up, but like Smart, sometimes it went out of range or data communication did not go through. I can't help it anymore. (It was saved because it was a dual eSIM using multiple eSIMs this time.)

By the way, when there is a problem with such communication, sometimes it can be fixed by turning the flight mode from ON to OFF.

communication speed

Here are the speed test results with MOGO eSIM: From the left, around BKK1, around Wat Phnom, and inside Phnom Penh International Airport.

Basically, like Airalo, there was a reasonable speed. However, the Ping value is over 300 ms, which is slightly larger than Airalo.

I was able to use the Internet almost everywhere without problems, but there were times when Twitter images and videos were slow to load.

summary

I think it's a good idea to check first if MOGO eSIM has a plan with a sale price.

The performance is the same as Airalo, but the delay is slightly inferior. So if there seems to be enough difference in price, I feel like choosing MOGO eSIM is an ant. If the price is not much different, Airalo will be cheaper.

Get your FREE eSIM here-MOGO eSIM

Travel around the world with MOGO eSIM. Instant roaming connection with prices lower than local rates. No physical SIM needed. Come check it out now!

MOGO eSIM Official Site

soracom mobile

" Soracom Mobile " is an eSIM service for travelers developed by Soracom, a Japanese IoT/communications startup .

In the past, fares in Asia seemed a bit expensive, but in March 2023, fares were lowered across the board and became more attractive.

After all, the big advantage is the sense of security provided by a Japanese company under the KDDI umbrella , and the ability to receive support in Japanese if something goes wrong .

*Currently only available for iPhone/iPad.

Prices and purchase methods for Cambodia

As stated on the price page of the official website , there are the following four data plans for Cambodia.

MOGO eSIM is the winner for large-capacity plans, but up to 5GB is not much different from other eSIMs.

For information on how to purchase and install, please refer to the article below 👇

How to purchase and install SORACOM MOBILE eSIM

Comprehensive explanation of Soracom Mobile eSIM purchase, installation, and line settings.

Latest Travel eSIM News |   Blog

Soracom Mobile is an app-based service that allows you to purchase and install eSIM very smoothly , so it is especially recommended for those who are not familiar with eSIM.

Communication quality of Soracom Mobile in Phnom Penh

Soracom Mobile does not require data roaming settings like Airalo or MOGO eSIM, just set the installed eSIM (mobile communication plan) to "mobile data communication" and immediately connect to the Internet. 3 taps and you're done.

From purchase to eSIM installation, it will be completed in a minute or two, and the experience of being connected to the Internet as soon as you arrive at the site is to buy a physical SIM, replace it with the original SIM, and set it up. Compared to the process so far, it feels very smooth.

Like MOGO eSIM, SORACOM MOBILE roaming destination in Cambodia is cellcard .

Connecting to cellcard 4G in Phnom Penh

Like MOGO eSIM, there are rare radio wave conditions and packet jams. However, in most cases, radio waves enter without problems, and data communication also passes.

communication speed

And here are the speed test results: From the left, around BKK1, around Wat Phnom, and inside Phnom Penh International Airport.

I have used SORACOM MOBILE in Vietnam before, but basically it is not very fast, but it is stable . Personally, there is no particular problem with this speed in the range of Internet use normally used during travel. I was able to use the map app, dispatch app, etc. without any problems.

Only once in Phnom Penh this time, when I used it at the airport when I arrived (I don't know if it was the timing or the place), it was slow for some reason. Everything else was stable.

Internet sharing (tethering) is also available .

You can easily check the remaining amount of data and purchase additional data from the mobile app. (The price is the same as the original plan price.)

Soracom Mobile iOS App

summary

Soracom Mobile is an eSIM that can be fully recommended in terms of the security of a service provided by a Japanese company, the stability of communication, and the convenience of a mobile application.

All that's left is whether the price of the data plan is within your budget.

Global eSIM data communication service | Soracom Mobile

With Soracom Mobile's eSIM, you can easily and smartly use the Internet while traveling abroad. Experience new data communication abroad with eSIM technology!

Soracom Mobile

By the way, in addition to Cambodia and other Asian countries, it can also be used in the United States and Europe.

supplement

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eSIM search and comparison site for overseas travelers |  

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Cambodian ride-hailing app

In this day and age, a ride-hailing app is almost essential for travel.

Grab and PassApp can be used as taxi & tuk-tuk dispatch apps in Cambodia. Or rather, it is very convenient, so if possible, we recommend that you install both and complete the registration.

By the way, it seems that PassApp is overwhelmingly used by local people. However, PassApp does not allow credit card registration, so you will have to pay cash when you get off. During my stay in Phnom Penh, I used Grab or PassApp to move around the city.

What to do when Rakuten Mobile's overseas roaming does not connect [eSIM troubleshooting]

I will introduce a method that I actually tried and became able to use overseas roaming.

 June 7, 2023 •3 min read