SpaceX builds a series of Starlink ground stations in Vietnam

SpaceX is preparing a ground station in Vietnam for its Starlink satellites and plans to build more, two sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters . The move signals the possibility of Starlink service launching soon in Vietnam and could help authorities manage internet traffic.

According to Decision 659 dated March 23 of the Prime Minister, SpaceX Corporation, the provider of Starlink satellite Internet service, has been allowed to conduct a controlled pilot of telecommunications services using low-orbit satellite technology in Vietnam. The pilot program lasts for 5 years from the date of being granted a telecommunications service business license, and must end before January 1, 2031.

Starlink service is allowed to pilot service in Vietnam, according to Decision 659 dated March 23 of the Prime Minister. Photo: Starlink .

According to Reuters , SpaceX's ground station could be built and operational as early as May or June in Da Nang city, and could be part of a network of up to 15 stations nationwide.

Starlink operates in more than 100 countries and territories, but it does not disclose the number of ground stations. Not every country has ground stations, which communicate with the satellites and relay data to users.

Starlink Installation Pros, a company that installs Starlink services, says on its website that Starlink has about 150 ground stations globally, nearly half of which are in the United States. However, that number has not been confirmed by SpaceX. The company is also not affiliated with SpaceX.

The maximum number of SpaceX subscribers that will be piloted in Vietnam is 600,000, including the total number of telecommunications service subscribers of enterprises established in Vietnam and of telecommunications enterprises reselling services of enterprises established in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister's Decision also clearly states the requirements and conditions that SpaceX and businesses established in Vietnam must commit to ensuring compliance with when implementing the pilot, including requirements on the type of telecommunications service deployed; scope of deployment; maximum number of subscribers; frequency of use and especially requirements to ensure national defense and security.

Accordingly, fixed satellite services (including Internet access services; leased channel services for mobile receiving and transmitting stations) and mobile satellite services (including Internet access services at sea; Internet access services on airplanes) are types of SpaceX telecommunications services that will be piloted in Vietnam nationwide.

A source said Starlink will invest about $3 million to build ground stations in Vietnam. In September 2024, during General Secretary To Lam's visit to the US, SpaceX Senior Vice President Tim Hughes pledged to invest $1.5 billion in Vietnam.

Source: https://znews.vn/spacex-xay-hang-loat-tram-mat-dat-starlink-o-viet-nam-post1542521.html