Vietnam licenses Starlink to provide satellite internet services in the country, marking a significant step in Hanoi’s efforts to expand digital connectivity. The decision allows Elon Musk’s company to begin operations under regulatory oversight in the Southeast Asian nation.
According to Vietnam’s Radio Frequency Management authority, the local unit Starlink Services Vietnam Co. has been granted permission to deploy infrastructure and user terminals nationwide.
The move comes as Vietnam continues negotiations with the United States over a trade agreement, amid broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
Licensing Details and Technical Conditions
The Radio Frequency Management authority announced that Starlink may initially establish four gateway stations across Vietnam. The company is also authorised to deploy up to 600,000 terminal devices.
The regulator stated that Starlink must ensure its system causes no interference with existing radio communication networks in Vietnam. Compliance with national telecommunications and frequency management regulations remains mandatory.
Starlink operates a network of thousands of low Earth orbit satellites, delivering high speed internet services to remote and underserved areas worldwide.
Key licensing conditions include:
Deployment limited to four gateway stations in the initial phase
• A cap of 600,000 user terminals
• Strict compliance with Vietnam’s radio frequency regulations
• No interference with existing communication systems
Vietnam’s internet penetration rate stands at nearly 80 percent of its approximately 100 million population, according to the Vietnam Internet Network Information Center. However, connectivity gaps persist in rural and mountainous regions where infrastructure development remains challenging.
Authorities said Starlink’s entry is expected to contribute to expanding satellite internet coverage in these underserved areas.
Starlink’s Expansion and US Vietnam Context
US based SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment. On its official availability map, Starlink indicates that services in Vietnam are “coming soon.”
The licensing decision coincides with ongoing trade discussions between Hanoi and Washington. The two countries are negotiating a trade deal after the United States imposed 20 percent tariffs on Vietnamese goods last year. A sixth round of talks was held this month, but no final agreement has been announced.
Vietnam’s top leader, Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, is expected to travel to the United States this week to attend the first meeting of President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” according to two sources briefed on the visit cited by AFP.
The board was initially established to oversee reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip following two years of war, though its mandate appears to extend beyond Palestinian territory. The meeting is scheduled for February 19 in Washington.
It remains unclear whether trade negotiations will be discussed during Lam’s visit. Vietnam’s government has not officially confirmed the trip.
Economic Growth Despite Tariffs
Despite concerns that US tariffs could harm its export driven economy, Vietnam recorded 8.0 percent economic growth last year. The country aims to achieve double digit growth this year, reinforcing its position as a major manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia.
Analysts view expanded digital infrastructure, including satellite internet services, as part of Hanoi’s broader strategy to sustain growth and attract foreign investment.
For Iraq and other regional markets, Vietnam’s decision highlights how emerging economies are integrating satellite based internet solutions to bridge connectivity gaps while navigating complex trade relations with major powers.
Conclusion:
The licensing of Starlink reflects Vietnam’s push to strengthen digital infrastructure while maintaining regulatory oversight. As trade talks with Washington continue, the move underscores the intersection of technology expansion and broader economic diplomacy.
