Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service is coming to Vietnam

The government has just allowed Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), founded by billionaire Elon Musk, to pilot the Starlink satellite Internet service for users in Vietnam.

Billionaire Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will pilot the Starlink satellite Internet service for users in Vietnam - Photo: QUANG DINH

Two types of satellite telecommunications services are expected to be piloted: fixed satellite services (Internet access; leased channels for mobile receiving and transmitting stations); mobile satellite services (Internet access at sea and on airplanes).

Up to 600,000 subscribers

According to the Prime Minister 's decision, SpaceX is allowed to pilot controlled investment in telecommunications services with network infrastructure, a type of satellite telecommunications network using low-orbit satellite technology in Vietnam.

SpaceX and businesses established in Vietnam (to provide services) must commit to ensuring compliance with the requirements and conditions when implementing the pilot, including requirements on: type of telecommunications service deployed, scope of deployment, maximum number of subscribers, frequency of use... Implementation must be based on the principles of ensuring Vietnam's national defense and security.

SpaceX must also be responsible for implementing the proposed contents in the investment project and providing Starlink satellite Internet services in Vietnam, such as: supporting essential connection programs, cooperating with Vietnamese enterprises to distribute hardware equipment and provide services to users, investing in the supply chain and building ground infrastructure...

Notably, the maximum number of subscribers allowed for the pilot implementation is 600,000 subscribers. This number includes the total number of subscribers of the above telecommunications services of enterprises established in Vietnam and of telecommunications enterprises reselling services.

Domestic enterprises are not afraid

Talking to Tuoi Tre about the appearance of the world's leading "competitor" right in the Vietnamese market, many domestic Internet service providers said they are not afraid of direct competition.

Mr. Nguyen Ba Dung, deputy director of virtual mobile network business development at FPT Retail Company, commented that SpaceX - through the Starlink service - provides satellite Internet with high speed and lower latency than traditional satellite services, but their main customers may be in remote areas, where terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure is not yet covered or weak; or businesses and organizations that need stable transmission lines in locations where it is difficult to deploy fiber optic cables; or individual customers who need high-speed connections, not dependent on mobile networks or fiber optic cables...

"Meanwhile, FPT Retail's services focus on customers using traditional mobile services. Because the customer base is different, in the short term, SpaceX does not affect our customers. But in the long term, if service costs decrease sharply, they can compete in certain segments," said Mr. Dung.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre, the leader of a major network operator in Vietnam (who asked not to be named) said there are two factors that domestic businesses do not need to worry about. The first is the regulation that SpaceX's satellite Internet service trial is limited to 600,000 subscribers for 5 years. "Compared to the total number of Internet users in Vietnam, both mobile and fixed, which is more than 100 million subscribers, that number is insignificant."

Second, the price of satellite Internet service is unlikely to be as cheap as high-speed fiber optic Internet service or 5G in Vietnam today. That also means that the target customers will be quite specific, such as using on airplanes, at sea, special places or requiring special connections.

The cost of using Starlink service is not cheap.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre, many Internet users in Vietnam, especially those who love technology, expressed their desire to soon experience satellite Internet services, especially from billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system.

"Satellite Internet service can be a direct competitor to the 5G service that is currently available in Vietnam. Currently, domestic network operators have provided commercial 5G service, with very good speed in areas with good signal, and acceptable prices.

Later, when 5G coverage is wider, the advantage of satellite Internet service may only be on airplanes or at sea..." - Mr. Thanh Long, administrator of a technology social network, commented.

According to research from many sources and many countries that have Starlink satellite Internet service, users and businesses have to pay a lot of money. For example, individual users may have to pay a subscription fee of about 110 USD/month, along with the cost of purchasing a receiver of 599 USD. Business customers may pay a service fee of about 500 USD/month and the cost of equipment of about 2,500 USD.

Later in 2024, the service will add a Starlink Mini package with a device price of $599 and monthly plans ranging from $50 to $165. The device is compact, can be carried in a backpack, and allows for a 30-day trial without a contract...

Ground gateway station must be located in Vietnam territory

Starlink is a satellite Internet project developed and deployed by SpaceX, a company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, since 2019. SpaceX has launched about 30,000 satellites into low orbit, forming a network covering the Earth.

Starlink satellites are designed to beam broadband Internet from space to Earth. Currently, Starlink service is available in 116 countries and territories, with more than 4 million subscribers worldwide.

According to the Prime Minister's decision, SpaceX will have to place a ground gateway station on Vietnamese territory to ensure that all traffic from subscribers on Vietnamese territory must pass through this gateway station and connect to the public telecommunications network in Vietnam.

The pilot period will be implemented within 5 years from the date the enterprise established by SpaceX in Vietnam is granted a telecommunications service business license and must end before January 1, 2031.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in September 2024, SpaceX Group Senior Vice President Tim Hughes expressed: "SpaceX wishes to invest in and provide Starlink satellite Internet services in Vietnam, including providing Starlink services in the fields of education, training, and natural disaster prevention... We request that Vietnam prepare infrastructure and other necessary conditions for the project to be highly effective, contributing to Vietnam's Internet coverage to 100% of the population."

Malaysia and Indonesia are piloting Starlink

In Malaysia and Indonesia, Starlink is being piloted specifically in remote areas to improve internet connectivity for local residents.

Billionaire Elon Musk (right) holds up an agreement to deploy Starlink service in Indonesia on May 19, 2024 - Photo: AFP

According to Astro Awani, in Malaysia, the government granted Starlink a 10-year license in July 2023, allowing the company to operate without foreign capital restrictions. Initially, Malaysia focused on deploying Starlink in the education sector, with 40 sets of equipment distributed to schools and higher education institutions in remote areas.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, Starlink officially launched its service in May 2024, with the aim of expanding Internet connectivity in underserved areas. One of the notable applications of Starlink in Indonesia is support in the healthcare and education sectors. This service not only helps improve healthcare operations but also supports students in the area to have better learning conditions.

The launch of Starlink in these Southeast Asian countries marks a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide, bringing high-speed Internet access to millions of people in rural and island areas.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dich-vu-internet-ve-tinh-starlink-cua-ti-phu-elon-musk-sap-vao-viet-nam-20250330231622.htm