Chinese-owned Southeast Asia Telecom (Cambodia) Co, known as Seatel, has officially launched its fourth-generation (4G) network in Cambodia, a local newspaper reported on Monday.

Seatel, which entered Cambodia's overcrowded telecommunications sector last year, said it is currently available in 17 provinces, including the capital of Phnom Penh, Kandal, Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap, and it will cover the remaining provinces by year-end.

 "We have been constructing a 4G network with a speed 10 times higher than that of 3G," the Phnom Penh Post quoted Han Hanchou, general manager of Seatel Cambodia, as saying at a launching ceremony on Sunday. "Our fiber network extends nearly 7,000 kilometers in Cambodia."

According to Han, Seatel's total planned investment is about $400 million, of which $100 million has been spent so far.

Seatel will provide customers with 4G VoLTE (voice services over LTE networks) services, which promise high-speed Internet and high-quality call services.

Smart Axiata is the only other 4G provider in Cambodia.

As to Seatel's entry into the market, Moa Chakrya, chairman of the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia, said it was testament to Cambodia's open and competitive telecom policy.

He added that he did not expect to see a "price war" among operators in the sector, and that the new development will only strengthen the offerings of the industry.

"Their mobile technology enables us to narrow the digital gap between Cambodia and developed countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations," he said.

Cambodia has six mobile phone operators and about 27 internet service providers.