Cellcard, a leading 4G network carrier in Cambodia, today announced a partnership with organisation Orange Esports, as well as extensions with game developers Moonton and NetEase Games.
Orange Esports is a popular Khmer team that competes in PUBG Mobile, while Moonton is the maker of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and NetEase makes mobile battle royale shooter Rules of Survival.
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Ian Watson, CEO Of Cellcard, commented in a release: “Over the past three years, we have been building the fastest and widest 4G network in Cambodia and have achieved regional and global recognition including six consecutive Ookla Speedtest Awards and multiple category wins from Opensignal, including Best Gaming Experience in 2020.
“We are bringing the best of entertainment to our subscribers and will continue to invest in the local Games & Esports industry and connect Cambodia’s youth to the world,” he continued. “With our upcoming plans for 5G entertainment, we are excited about the future and the infinite possibilities it holds.”
The partnerships are part of a larger overall esports push from Cellcard, which includes creating original content for its PlayGame online gaming platform and sponsorship of the ongoing Rules of Survival KH Cup Season 3. The company is also working with local influencers to drive attention to PlayGame and its esports initiatives, and will host a PlayGame Streamathon on August 14
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Cellcard is also working alongside the Esports Federation of Cambodia (EFC) to develop tournaments for both amateur and professional players, as it has done since 2018 in collaboration with both Moonton and NetEase Games.
H.E. Chea Chan Boribo, President of the EFC, added: “Now we are working with Cellcard to deliver virtual tournaments both live streamed and on PlayGame, Cellcard’s new games platform which was launched in April 2020. Together we are building scale in the local gaming community and hope to see esports recognised in the SEA Games in 2023.”
Esports Insider says: Southeast Asia has a thriving esports scene, but Cambodia doesn’t have quite the same presence as some other countries in the region. Key partnerships and investment like this can help to make up that gap, so it’ll be interesting to see how Cellcard’s influence affects the region.