Vietnam Approves Four New Starlink Gateway Stations
Vietnam has approved the construction of four new gateway stations for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service. This development is part of the global expansion of low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity. The growing availability of such satellite-based edge connectivity is an enabling factor for aircraft and autonomous systems that rely on real-time data links.
- The four gateway stations will be located in Phu Tho Province (Binh Nguyen Commune), Da Nang City (Lien Chieu Ward), and two in Ho Chi Minh City (Tang Nhon Phu and Tan Thuan Wards). This strategic placement provides coverage for the northern, central, and southern regions of the country. - The license was granted by Vietnam's Radio Frequency Department to Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd., a local entity wholly owned by Starlink Holdings Netherlands B.V. The approval permits the use of E-band and Ka-band radio frequencies for the gateways. - This approval is part of a five-year pilot program for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services, which is set to conclude before January 1, 2031. During this initial phase, Starlink is authorized to deploy up to 600,000 user terminals nationwide. - The service was previously tested in Vietnam in October 2023, where it demonstrated download speeds of approximately 200 Mbps. - Regulators have stipulated that Starlink's operations must not cause harmful interference with existing radio systems, particularly those used for national security and defense. The law also requires foreign satellite providers to route all traffic from Vietnamese users through a local gateway. - With this commercial deployment, Vietnam will become the fifth country in Southeast Asia to offer Starlink services, joining the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Timor-Leste.
