Controlled pilot of telecommunications service using SpaceX low-orbit satellite technology

ANTD.VN - The Prime Minister has allowed a controlled pilot deployment of telecommunications services using low-orbit satellite technology from the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), USA.

Controlled pilot deployment of telecommunications services using SpaceX low-orbit satellite technology

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has just signed and issued Decision No. 659/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister, allowing a controlled pilot implementation of telecommunications services using low-orbit satellite technology without any limit on the percentage of foreign investors' share ownership, capital contribution or contribution ratio.

According to the Decision, the Prime Minister allows a controlled pilot implementation of telecommunications services using low-orbit satellite technology without limiting the percentage of share ownership, capital contribution or contribution ratio of foreign investors of the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), USA.

Specifically, piloting controlled investment in telecommunications services with network infrastructure, satellite telecommunications network types using low-orbit satellite technology in Vietnam on the principle of ensuring national defense and security, in which there is no limit on the percentage of share ownership, capital contribution or contribution ratio of foreign investors as prescribed in Point a, Clause 1, Article 13 of Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, creativity and national digital transformation;

Piloting the issuance of licenses to use radio frequencies and equipment for telecommunications service providers using low-orbit satellite technology instead of issuing licenses to use radio frequencies and equipment for terminal users as prescribed in Point b, Clause 1, Article 13 of Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in science, technology development, innovation and national digital transformation.

The Decision clearly states that the pilot implementation of telecommunications services using low-orbit satellite technology shall be carried out within 05 years from the date the enterprise established by the pilot organization in Vietnam (enterprise established in Vietnam) is granted a telecommunications services business license and must end before January 1, 2031.

Types of telecommunications services that will be piloted nationwide include: Fixed satellite services (Internet access services; leased line services for mobile receiving and transmitting stations); mobile satellite services (Internet access services at sea; Internet access services on airplanes).

The maximum number of subscribers to be deployed on the pilot is 600,000 subscribers, including the total number of telecommunications service subscribers mentioned above of enterprises established in Vietnam and of telecommunications enterprises reselling services of enterprises established in Vietnam.

In addition, the Decision also clearly states that pilot organizations and enterprises established in Vietnam must terminate the pilot and have their telecommunications service business licenses, radio frequency and equipment use licenses revoked in some cases.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Science and Technology to preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision on adjusting the pilot contents if necessary, terminating the pilot and synthesizing and reporting to the Government on the implementation of the pilot.

The Decision clearly states that the pilot organization may only carry out telecommunications service business activities after completing investment procedures and procedures for granting telecommunications service business licenses and radio frequency use licenses in accordance with the provisions of law; ensuring compliance with the provisions of the law on telecommunications, radio frequencies, relevant legal provisions and the contents, requirements and conditions of the pilot as prescribed.

The pilot organization is responsible for implementing the proposed contents in the Project on investment and provision of Starlink satellite Internet services in Vietnam (supporting essential connection programs; cooperating with Vietnamese enterprises to distribute hardware equipment and provide services to users; investing in the supply chain and building ground infrastructure).

Source: https://www.anninhthudo.vn/thi-diem-co-kiem-soat-dich-vu-vien-thong-su-dung-cong-nghe-ve-tinh-quy-dao-tam-thap-cua-spacex-post607147.antd