HCMC – SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has officially received a license to operate its satellite internet service, Starlink, in Vietnam. The approval comes from the Ministry of Science and Technology following months of regulatory procedures.
On February 14, the ministry’s Authority of Telecommunications announced the issuance of a license for the provision of telecommunications services with network infrastructure, specifically for fixed satellite networks, to Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd. Parallelly, another ministerial unit of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Authority of Radio Frequency Management, has granted the company the necessary approval for radio frequency usage and equipment.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has notified the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, and provincial departments nationwide regarding the licensing of these low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite services.
Under the initial radio frequency license, Starlink is authorized to deploy four gateway stations and up to 600,000 terminal devices across Vietnam during its first phase of operation.
The licensing is designed to create a sandbox for disruptive technologies. Establishing a clear legal framework for LEO satellite coverage is seen as a foundational step for the stable, long-term growth of Vietnam’s digital connectivity ecosystem.
This milestone follows Decision No. 659/QD-TTg, issued by the prime minister on March 26, 2025, which approved a controlled pilot program for LEO satellite services. Notably, the decision waived traditional caps on foreign ownership and capital contributions for such pilot projects. Under the program, SpaceX is permitted to invest in and operate satellite network infrastructure for a pilot five-year period, concluding no later than January 1, 2031, while adhering to strict national defense and security principles.
Satellite internet services like Starlink are expected to complement Vietnam’s existing terrestrial fixed and mobile networks. They will play a critical role in providing connectivity to remote areas, border regions, and islands, and will serve as a vital communication lifeline during natural disasters when terrestrial infrastructure may be compromised.
Starlink represents SpaceX’s ambitious plan to provide global high-speed internet, particularly in regions where traditional cables cannot reach or where infrastructure has been decimated by conflict or disasters. By the end of 2025, SpaceX had surpassed the milestone of 10,000 satellites launched. The service is currently available in 125 countries and territories, serving over five million active users.
