Why Starlink Won't Open Vietnam's Heavily Censored Internet
Starlink promises better connectivity in remote and mountainous areas of Vietnam, but more network access doesn't mean more free speech.
Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service has begun selling in Vietnam, despite the country's heavily censored internet landscape. Vietnamese authorities granted SpaceX a controlled trial period for Starlink, allowing up to 600,000 subscribers. The trial, set to run until the end of 2030, aims to increase internet access in remote and underdeveloped areas.
However, Starlink's high cost and limited availability may limit its impact on Vietnam's internet access. Despite the trial, Vietnam remains one of the world's most censored countries, with a Freedom House score of 22 out of 100. Starlink will operate under strict Vietnamese regulations and must comply with the country's internet censorship laws.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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