Key points
- Amazon plans to invest $570 million in Vietnam’s satellite infrastructure by 2030.
- The investment includes up to six ground stations and terminal manufacturing in Bac Ninh province.
- Amazon Kuiper Vietnam Co., Ltd. has been established in Ho Chi Minh City.
- The company has applied for a five-year license to provide low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services.
Amazon is expanding its ambitious Kuiper satellite internet project into Vietnam, marking a significant investment in the Southeast Asian nation’s digital infrastructure. The Ministry of Science and Technology announced on Tuesday that Amazon plans to invest $570 million by 2030 to expand its network.
This investment will encompass the construction of up to six ground stations and the establishment of terminal manufacturing facilities in the northern province of Bac Ninh, leveraging local partnerships to drive growth.
The company has already taken concrete steps to establish its presence in Vietnam. Amazon Kuiper Vietnam Co., Ltd. has been registered in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s economic hub, demonstrating a commitment to long-term operations.
Furthermore, a formal application has been submitted to the Vietnamese government for a five-year license to provide low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet services. This application seeks approval for a comprehensive rollout catering to consumers, businesses, and government entities.
Amazon’s Kuiper initiative aims to deliver high-speed broadband internet access to underserved areas, particularly remote regions and islands across Vietnam. This aligns with the Vietnamese government’s broader goals of expanding digital connectivity throughout the country.
The deployment will complement existing terrestrial infrastructure, providing a vital alternative in areas with limited or no existing internet access. This move follows the recent launch of the first 27 Kuiper satellites in April, marking a key milestone in the project’s development.
The entry of Amazon Kuiper into the Vietnamese market will undoubtedly intensify competition with existing players, most notably SpaceX’s Starlink, which has already received government approval for a similar five-year operation.
This competitive landscape promises to stimulate innovation and drive down costs, benefiting both Vietnamese consumers and businesses. Amazon has not yet responded to a request for comment.
