Foreign enterprises prepare conditions to provide low-altitude satellite services in Vietnam

The deployment of low-orbit satellite telecommunications services in Vietnam is entering the stage of completing legal procedures, opening up the possibility of providing new services with wide coverage and flexible application capabilities.

Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications Nguyen Anh Cuong said that SpaceX Corporation, owner of the Starlink system (low-orbit satellite telecommunications service (LEO), is completing procedures to establish a business with the Ministry of Finance to operate in Vietnam.

After completing the business registration, SpaceX applied for a license to provide low-orbit satellite services, Starlink.

"According to regulations, service licensing takes no more than 15 days," said Mr. Nguyen Anh Cuong.

Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications Nguyen Anh Cuong informed about the deployment of low-bandwidth telecommunications services.

Regarding the Starlink service licensing, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications Nguyen Anh Cuong said that SpaceX's procedures are being delayed because they want to establish a 100% foreign-owned enterprise operating in Vietnam. In fact, the provisions of Resolution 193 of the National Assembly do not limit the percentage of shares, capital contributions, etc.

Low Earth Observation (LEO) satellite internet service business is fundamentally different from traditional telecommunications services with wider coverage but more expensive costs.

"Currently, the legal aspect has created very favorable conditions for foreign enterprises to operate in Vietnam," said Mr. Nguyen Anh Cuong.

Previously, Resolution No. 193/2025/NQ-QH15 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation stipulated a controlled pilot investment in satellite telecommunications networks using low-orbit satellite technology in Vietnam on the principle of ensuring national defense and security, with no limits on the percentage of shares owned, capital contributions or contribution ratios of foreign investors...

The Prime Minister has issued Decision No. 659/QD-TTg on allowing a controlled pilot implementation of telecommunications services using low-orbit satellite technology without any limits on the share ownership ratio, capital contribution or contribution ratio of foreign investors.

At the same time, the Government also issued Decree No. 88/2025/ND-CP detailing and guiding a number of articles of Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly on piloting a number of special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation, of which 5 articles (from Article 20 to Article 24) stipulate procedures and conditions for licensing and business of low-orbit satellite services in Vietnam.

According to experts, traditional telecommunications networks have high speeds and are now popular among users, both in terms of price. Meanwhile, satellite services have the advantage of wide coverage, not limited by terrain, but speed and price will be more limited.

Therefore, the supplier (Starlink) will target aviation areas (on airplanes), at sea, remote areas and can be a backup plan in some emergency cases (natural disasters, rescue...).

According to VNA

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/doanh-nhan/doanh-nghiep-nuoc-ngoai-chuan-bi-dieu-kien-cung-cap-dich-vu-ve-tinh-tam-thap-tai-viet-nam/20250628100704653