Service-VNExpress/Reuters-Mar 26
Vietnam’s government said on Wednesday it will allow Elon Musk’s SpaceX to launch its Starlink satellite internet service on a trial basis in the country. There is no limit on foreign ownership of the service, the government said in a statement, adding that the trial period will last until the end of 2030, as reported by Reuters. The project needs to ensure national defense and security.
The decision limits the number of subscribers to 600,000 for the trial period, according to the statement. The Starlink services that will be allowed throughout Vietnam include fixed satellite services (internet access services and privately leased channel services for mobile receiving and transmitting stations) and mobile satellite services (internet access services at sea and on airplanes). Starlink operates in more than 120 markets worldwide. It was previously brought to Vietnam for testing during an expo at Hoa Lac, Hanoi, in October 2023. At that time, the measured internet speed in the area was around 200 Mbps. On Starlink’s map, some Southeast Asian countries, such as Singapore and Indonesia, have already launched the service. To use Starlink, users need to purchase a hardware kit priced at US$549, which includes an antenna, router, and connection cables, and pay a monthly subscription fee that varies by country and region. Read more at:
