SpaceX’s representative in Asia Pacific, Laurent Tran Dien, said SpaceX is using thousands of satellites to provide high-speed internet service in many places in the world.   

Asia Pacific has to cope with many natural disasters, including earthquake and tsunami. In emergency cases, the internet connection will play an important role in maintaining communications.

The special characteristic of the satellite internet service provided is the capability of being installed and deployed within a short time. The service can be provided everywhere with low latency and high speed.

Starlink’s satellite internet service can work in many terrain conditions and can be installed on airplanes, fishing boats and cars. In remote areas, the internet connection with satellite will help local people receive education, healthcare service and better access to medical services.

Asked about the plan to provide Starlink service in Vietnam, he said SpaceX is a global company and no matter where it provides services, it will always observe the laws of the host countries. 

Geoff Huston, chief scientist of the Asia-Pacific Network Information Center (APNIC), said there are currently nearly 90,000 low-orbit satellites in the world, many of which are the first-generation Starlink satellites (4,408) and second-generation (29,998). 

OneWeb is also a large Starlink provider with over 7,000 satellites operating in orbit.

The scientist said satellite internet is a new issue and the topic of discussion in many places throughout the world. Most satellites are operating at a height of 550 kilometers from the earth surface. At this height, satellites can have certain coverage to provide services. The quality of the satellite internet service much depends on the height of satellites.

Earlier this year, at a meeting between Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam and 52 US businesses, SpaceX also affirmed its willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in strengthening the digital connection capability.

According to the Authority of Telecommunications, the internet access service, which is a kind of telecommunications service, is a conditional business type. The service by foreign companies to clients in the Vietnamese territory will be covered by the Law on Telecommunications and international treaties.

In order to provide service in Vietnam, Starlink has to obtain commercial agreement with a Vietnamese company which has a license to provide satellite internet service, or it can set up a joint venture with Vietnamese businesses and ask for a license to provide telecommunications service.

Trong Dat