SpaceX Plans Starlink Expansion in Vietnam With Up to 15 Ground Stations
- tech360.tv
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
SpaceX is preparing to launch Starlink satellite services in Vietnam, starting with a ground station in Danang as early as May or June, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
The move follows a decision by the Vietnamese government to allow Starlink to operate under a five-year pilot programme, enabling Elon Musk to retain full control of SpaceX’s local subsidiary despite foreign ownership restrictions.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister approved the establishment of at least one ground station on March 23, with plans for a network of up to 15 stations across the country.
The initial investment for the Danang station is estimated at USD 3 million. The full network would make Vietnam one of the largest Starlink ground station hubs globally.
Starlink currently operates in over 100 countries and territories, though not all have ground stations. According to Starlink Installation Pros, a third-party installer, there are about 150 ground stations worldwide, nearly half of which are in the United States.
The Vietnamese government has authorised Starlink to serve up to 600,000 customers. Due to the country’s low internet prices and widespread high-speed coverage, Starlink may need to offer additional services to attract users.
One such service under discussion is secure intranet communication, though it has not yet received government approval.
A previous free trial of Starlink in Vietnam allowed the coast guard to guide drones in the South China Sea. That service was halted at the end of 2023 when ownership negotiations stalled.
Vietnam’s shift in stance on Starlink comes amid concerns over potential U.S. tariffs. The Trump administration is expected to announce new tariffs on April 2 targeting countries with large trade surpluses, including Vietnam, which recorded a USD 123 billion surplus with the U.S. last year.
A source described Vietnam’s approval of Starlink as an “olive branch” to Musk, a known ally of Trump.
Ground stations are essential for optimising Starlink’s services and allow Vietnamese regulators to monitor internet traffic. The prime minister’s March directive mandates that all data traffic must pass through these gateways, with requirements for data storage, user identification, and service suspension on security grounds.
SpaceX has pledged to invest USD 1.5 billion in Vietnam and has instructed suppliers to shift some production operations to the country.
SpaceX plans to launch Starlink in Vietnam with up to 15 ground stations
First station in Danang could be operational by May or June
Vietnam approved a five-year pilot allowing full foreign control
Source: REUTERS