Satellite Internet: Advantages of connecting to remote areas and islands

The internet is considered the “backbone” of digital infrastructure, promoting the development of digital economy, digital society and digital government in Vietnam. Vietnam’s internet infrastructure is widespread and the commercialization of 5G network from October 2024 has opened a new era for super-fast connection and high-tech application. However, there is still a gap in market share and satellite internet businesses are looking to “jump” in.

4G, 5G networks… widespread

With fixed internet, the whole country has reached 24.4 million subscribers, speed 176.68Mbps, increased nearly 47%, ranked 33/155 globally. Households using fiber optic cable reached 85.1%, with a total network length of more than 1.2 million km...

VNPT is one of the mobile providers that has covered 5G across all provinces and cities.

These are outstanding achievements compared to 1997 when Vietnam officially joined the global internet. At that time, the internet infrastructure in Vietnam only had a speed of 64Kb/s, international connections were limited to the US and Australia, serving about 300 users. The dial-up service at that time only allowed internet access when the phone line was temporarily disconnected, making internet use very inconvenient.

A representative of the Telecommunications Department (Ministry of Science and Technology) shared: “With changes in policy and the need for international integration, the internet in Vietnam has made great strides. In 1997, just over 200,000 Vietnamese people used the internet. By 2007, this number had increased to nearly 20 million people, accounting for about 24% of the population. By 2024, Vietnam will have 78.44 million internet users, equivalent to 79.1% of the population, with an average usage time of nearly 7 hours per day.”

According to records, the average internet fee in Vietnam varies depending on the network operator and region, but the common price for individual packages ranges from 165,000 VND/month to 300,000 VND/month. Major service providers such as VNPT, Viettel,FPT ... have different packages and incentive programs, depending on the time.

Regarding mobile waves, as of April 2025, telecommunications enterprises have deployed more than 318,000 mobile base transceiver stations (BTS) for about 146,000 locations, covering 3G, 4G, 5G mobile broadband to more than 99.8% of the population, serving nearly 120 million subscribers. The rate of people accessing telecommunications services has been improved, the number of subscribers using smartphones reached 106.4 million, an increase of 6.7% over the previous year. Mobile internet fees are also quite "soft", from a few tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand VND/month, even with daily, weekly packages... users can choose according to their needs.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, 88.7% of mobile subscribers use smartphones, 82.3% of households have broadband fiber optic internet connection and 4G network covers 99.8% of the territory. Vietnam has also successfully converted to the 6th generation internet protocol (IPv6), reaching a rate of 60%, and is among the top 10 countries globally.

Must ensure national defense and security requirements

Starlink satellite internet is a constellation-based satellite network project of SpaceX Corporation (USA) founded by billionaire Elon Musk, which is preparing to provide services in Vietnam. SpaceX Corporation has built a ground gateway station in Da Nang City. Previously, Starlink satellite internet was also tested at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park ( Hanoi City) and plans to install 10-15 gateway stations nationwide.

For users, in addition to registering, they also have to buy a standard Starlink device set for individuals and households including a satellite antenna (dish), a wifi router, a connection cable and a base that costs several hundred USD. The packages are also quite diverse for individuals, businesses, satellite mobiles... but not cheap, from several dozen USD to about 300 USD/month. That is the general price in the markets where SpaceX has provided the service. In Vietnam, this service provider has not officially announced any service prices.

The Ministry of Science and Technology aims that by the end of 2025, 100% of households in Vietnam will have fixed broadband connections, with 90% of users accessing fixed internet at an average speed of 200Mb/s. By 2030, 100% of users will access the internet at speeds above 1Gb/s, with 5G mobile networks covering the whole country and reducing the cost of using internet services.

The Government has licensed SpaceX Corporation to conduct a controlled pilot investment in the business of satellite telecommunications network services using low-orbit satellite technology in Vietnam (also known as Starlink service) in April 2025.

SpaceX is provided with a conditional 5-year pilot service that must end before January 1, 2031; the maximum number of subscribers is 600,000, while ensuring defense and security requirements...

Not only SpaceX, at the end of August 2025, Mr. Gonzalo de Dios, Director of Global Licensing and International Legal Relations of Project Kuiper (Amazon Group's satellite internet project) also proposed to provide services to the Ministry of Science and Technology. Amazon's satellite internet project builds a system of more than 3,200 low-orbit satellites to provide high-speed connections to remote areas and islands. The service can reach 400 Mbps for individuals, 1 Gbps for businesses, low latency and integrated security solutions from Amazon Web Services (AWS). This also shows that Amazon wants to develop satellite internet in Vietnam. Currently, Amazon has not announced any further information about satellite internet services in Vietnam.

According to experts, the main benefit of satellite internet is quite clear, which is connecting to areas that are not yet covered by fiber optic cables, such as remote areas, islands or mobile vehicles at sea and in the air. In addition, it also provides backup for national infrastructure, supports national security and defense and rescue; promotes digital transformation. However, in the context of fixed internet, 4G, 5G networks... of Vietnamese network operators are widespread, Starlink or Kuiper must have a "super breakthrough" exploitation direction to attract Vietnamese users as well as expand market share.

KIM THANH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/internet-ve-tinh-loi-the-ket-noi-den-vung-sau-vung-xa-hai-dao-post813479.html