SpaceX is accelerating its layout in Vietnam, and its satellite network service "Starlink" is expected to officially launch locally soon. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications of Vietnam, recently confirmed that SpaceX is advancing the company registration and investment record process, and once completed, it can apply for a telecommunications license to start legal operations.
It is reported that the Vietnamese government has approved Starlink to pilot in remote mountainous areas and islands, filling communication blind spots that traditional signals cannot cover. This technology is seen as an important tool for Vietnam to advance national digitalization. However, the current monthly fee for Starlink services is as high as 99 USD, which is much higher than local broadband, and there are concerns that this may widen the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
Although the government emphasizes that Starlink is only a "supplementary solution" and will not replace the existing service system, its high speed and low latency technological advantages may pose a long-term impact on Vietnam's traditional telecommunications market. Experts believe that once Starlink's pricing is reduced or regulations are relaxed, it will inevitably reshape the market structure and even trigger a price war.
Currently, SpaceX still needs to complete legal entity registration and the Ministry of Finance's investment record to obtain an operating license. The entire process is expected to be completed sequentially within a few months.
Whether Musk's space network plan can be widely implemented in Vietnam has become a focal point in the telecommunications industry, and local operators also face unprecedented external challenges. Vietnam's communications market is standing on the threshold of a new round of transformation.
