According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Deputy Minister Pham Duc Long recently met with a delegation from Amazon led by Gonzalo de Dios, Global Licensing and International Legal Affairs Director for Project Kuiper.

The two sides discussed Project Kuiper - Amazon’s initiative to provide broadband Internet via LEO satellites - designed to promote digital transformation and connectivity across Vietnam.

Amazon representatives emphasized that Vietnam holds a strategic position in the company’s development roadmap. Project Kuiper is a core part of this strategy, aiming to launch over 3,200 LEO satellites to deliver high-speed, low-latency Internet access. The system is intended to support under-connected and underserved areas, including remote regions and islands, offering speeds of up to 400 Mbps for individuals and 1 Gbps for businesses.

To date, Amazon has launched 102 satellites and plans to complete at least 50% of its satellite constellation by 2026. The system operates in the Ka-band, with compact, easy-to-install terminals that feature integrated AWS-level security.

Amazon has already established Amazon Kuiper Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City. On August 6, the company submitted documents to join Vietnam’s controlled pilot program for LEO satellite telecommunications services, with plans to connect up to 600,000 subscribers in sectors including consumer, enterprise, telecommunications backhaul, aviation, maritime, and government services. The project aligns with Vietnam's national strategy to provide nationwide Internet coverage by 2030.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Long affirmed that Vietnam prioritizes digital infrastructure development, noting that LEO satellite technology plays a crucial role in delivering high-speed broadband and expanding universal access to support socio-economic growth.

He assessed that Project Kuiper fits well with Vietnam’s development needs and could help citizens access digital services and streamline administrative procedures via improved connectivity, especially following Vietnam’s recent consolidation of provincial administrative units.

The Deputy Minister tasked the Authority of Telecommunications and the Authority of Radio Frequency Management with arranging a technical-level meeting with the Kuiper team to help resolve issues and complete the required documentation. The aim is for the Ministry to submit the pilot proposal to the Prime Minister by September 2025.

Previously, on March 23, the Prime Minister had approved a pilot rollout of Starlink, the satellite Internet service by Elon Musk's SpaceX, in Vietnam.

However, Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director General of the Authority of Telecommunications, confirmed that SpaceX has not yet submitted a licensing application for Starlink services in Vietnam. He stated that the agency is preparing necessary steps in coordination with relevant ministries to expedite licensing once SpaceX is ready.

Under current regulations, SpaceX must first establish a legal entity in Vietnam and complete an investment proposal with the Ministry of Finance before applying for telecommunications service licenses.

Deputy Minister Long noted that once a satellite service provider finalizes its investment and legal registration in Vietnam, it may officially launch operations as early as Q4 2025.

As of now, Viettel is the only Vietnamese enterprise to announce interest in the LEO satellite field. Chairman Tao Duc Thang revealed that Viettel is conducting research into LEO satellite technology, though results have not yet been disclosed.

Previously, media reports indicated that SpaceX is planning a $1.5 billion investment in Vietnam to deploy its Starlink satellite service. The service aims to bring broadband connectivity to all areas of Vietnam, particularly remote, border, and island regions where traditional infrastructure remains limited.

Thai Khang