According to Reuters, SpaceX is preparing to establish a Starlink ground station in Da Nang, with operations potentially commencing between May and June. The company plans to develop up to 15 ground stations across Vietnam following regulatory approval for pilot implementation.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed to Reuters that SpaceX is preparing to deploy a ground station in Vietnam for its Starlink satellite network, with plans for further expansion. This move signals the possible introduction of Starlink services in Vietnam, which could support local authorities in managing Internet traffic.
In accordance with Decision No. 659, issued on March 23 by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, SpaceX has been granted conditional approval to pilot satellite-based telecommunications services using low Earth orbit (LEO) technology in the country. The pilot program is set to last for five years from the date the company receives its telecommunications business license, with operations concluding no later than January 1, 2031.
SpaceX’s ground station in Da Nang is expected to be operational as early as May or June and may serve as part of a broader network of up to 15 stations nationwide.
The pilot program will allow SpaceX to serve a maximum of 600,000 subscribers in Vietnam, including both direct customers and those utilizing services resold by local telecommunications enterprises.
The Prime Minister’s decision outlines specific conditions and regulatory requirements that SpaceX and its Vietnamese partners must adhere to during the pilot phase. These include stipulations regarding the type of telecommunications services offered, the scope of deployment, subscriber limits, frequency usage, and critical national security and defense measures.
Under the pilot program, SpaceX will provide both fixed satellite services—such as Internet access and dedicated leased-line services for mobile base stations—and mobile satellite services, including Internet access for maritime and in-flight connectivity, across the entire country.
A source disclosed that Starlink plans to invest approximately $3 million in building ground stations in Vietnam. In September 2024, during General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to the United States, SpaceX Senior Vice President Tim Hughes committed to investing $1.5 billion in Vietnam.
