Vietnam clears Starlink internet for commercial use, greenlights up to 600,000 terminals
Vietnam's government has granted formal licences that allow Starlink internet to operate both fixed and mobile satellite networks in the country, paving the way for an initial deployment that regulators say will include four gateway stations and as many as 600, 000 user terminals. The authorisations cover radio frequencies and equipment and set conditions to prevent interference with existing communications systems.
Licences, frequencies and infrastructure set the framework
The Ministry of Science and Technology issued the telecommunications licences and the radio frequency regulator authorised the use of spectrum and radio equipment necessary for satellite service operations. The approvals allow the company to install transmission and reception infrastructure across Vietnam, while local science and technology departments have been instructed to coordinate oversight consistent with national regulations.
Regulators emphasised that the rollout must not interfere with current wireless networks. The initial technical footprint outlined by authorities includes four gateway stations that will connect the satellite constellation to terrestrial networks and up to 600, 000 user terminals for homes, businesses and mobile use cases. No official commercial launch date has been announced by the company.
Focus on remote coverage and disaster backup
Satellite broadband is being promoted as a complement to Vietnam's ground-based networks, with priority given to mountainous districts, remote islands and other locations where fibre-optic cables and conventional telecom infrastructure are unavailable or unreliable. Officials highlighted the service's potential to rapidly fill coverage gaps that remain despite widespread internet adoption nationwide.
At a December 2025 briefing, a representative of the national telecommunications authority described satellite internet as an important reserve channel during storms and floods because it does not depend on terrestrial transmission lines. That resilience is expected to make satellite links a practical emergency option for areas whose land-based infrastructure is vulnerable to extreme weather.
Market impact, next steps and wider context
The licensing follows an earlier pilot authorisation issued in April 2025 that allowed testing of satellite internet services. The company established a local legal entity before applying for full commercial licences. The parent organisation has already launched thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites worldwide and serves millions of subscribers across more than a hundred countries and territories.
Industry observers in Vietnam say satellite internet could quickly eliminate the remaining coverage gaps, but they expect limited disruption to the domestic telecom market overall. Remaining unserved areas tend to be small pockets beyond the reach of the national power grid, and incumbent carriers already cover the vast majority of populated regions.
Regulators have set clear technical and coordination requirements that the operator must meet before expansion can proceed. With permission to use spectrum and install infrastructure now secured, the next steps will involve network build-out, equipment imports and local regulatory checks. The timing of a commercial rollout remains uncertain; authorities and the company have not provided a firm start date for widespread service availability in Vietnam.
For users in isolated communities and for agencies planning disaster-response communications, the arrival of satellite-based broadband promises new options. How quickly terminals and gateway stations are installed, and how the service is priced and integrated with existing providers, will determine the technology's practical impact across Vietnam's varied geography.
