SpaceX aims to bring Starlink satellite internet to Vietnam

During a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday, Hughes, Senior Vice President for Global Business and Government Affairs at SpaceX, highlighted that Starlink has been providing satellite Internet in the U.S. since October 2020. The service now supports nearly 3 million customers across over 100 countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Tim Hughes, Senior Vice President for Global Business and Government Affairs of SpaceX, at their meeting in Hanoi on Sept. 6. Photo by VNA

Hughes praised Vietnam's national Internet coverage program and confirmed that SpaceX is ready to bring Starlink to the country. He urged Vietnam to prepare the necessary infrastructure and conditions to ensure the project's success, which would help extend Internet access to all citizens.

Chinh welcomed SpaceX's proposal and expressed optimism that this idea would soon become a reality. He assured that Vietnam has the required infrastructure, mechanisms, and policies in place for SpaceX to invest and operate effectively.

The PM encouraged SpaceX to work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to implement the project in compliance with local laws and to ensure cybersecurity. He expressed a desire for SpaceX to collaborate with Vietnam in other potential areas, including science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

He said Vietnam hopes that SpaceX will transfer technology, train human resources, and share management experience. Additionally, the country seeks to increase the use of advanced technology, digital solutions, and green technology; develop supporting industries; build ecosystems; provide secondary services; and deepen Vietnam's participation in the global value chain.

A Starlink set at the Vietnam Innovation International Exhibition 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy

The idea of deploying Starlink services in Vietnam was first proposed by Hughes during a meeting with Chinh in New York in September 2023. At that time, SpaceX's leadership aimed to provide broadband Internet services in areas with poor connectivity in Vietnam.

Founded by billionaire Elon Musk, SpaceX had approximately 3,500 active Starlink satellites as of mid-2022.

Starlink's satellite Internet service entered Southeast Asia in early 2023, with launches in the Philippines and Malaysia, and plans to expand to other countries in 2024. According to the service's website, Vietnam and Thailand are still awaiting approval or specific timelines for deployment.

Vietnam currently has around 1,500 villages classified as having "signal blind spots," with 969 of them facing significant challenges.