A delegation of 52 US businesses is in Vietnam on a working visit led by the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC). This is the largest ever delegation of businesses coming to Vietnam to seek cooperation and business opportunities. One of the businesses is SpaceX, the company that specializes in providing satellite internet services, carrier rockets and spaceships founded by Elon Musk.

At the meeting hosted by Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam, SpaceX said the company wants to cooperate with Vietnam and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), especially in strengthening the digital connection capability.

“SpaceX owns Starlink, a high-speed satellite Internet service with global coverage. Satellite Internet technology is of great significance, especially for remote, isolated and island areas, where conventional fiber optic cables cannot reach. There are many services based on high-speed Internet that satellites can provide,” the representative of SpaceX said.

When giving recommendations to Vietnam, SpaceX said the government needs to enhance the strategy on developing connectivity and digital technological infrastructure.

“We will support Vietnamese and the government in strengthening internet connectivity,” the representative said.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet services are operational in countries such as the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Australia and most EU countries. In Asia, SpaceX provides Starlink in Japan and the Philippines.

In Vietnam, Viettel, a big telecom carrier, once proposed trying satellite internet service with low-orbit satellite beams. The difficulty for domestic enterprises is their low capability when deploying low-orbit satellite beams, so they are likely to rely on foreign satellite systems.

There is another problem about satellite internet service, the possible impact on traditional telecommunication services and national security. Vietnam needs to conduct research and experiments, as well as keep a close watch over international conferences on managing and licensing satellite services, and make detailed plans.

Regarding the feasibility, the cost of internet service from low-orbit satellite beams is still much higher than fixed broadband internet service. However, if it is implemented in Vietnam, satellite internet service will be the solution to the question of covering internet waves in the areas with unfavorable conditions such as mountains and islands.

Also, the providing of satellite internet service with low-orbit satellite beams will also promote the development of maritime and aviation, the industries with great potentials, but still face limitations in telecommunications.

Trong Dat