Communist Nation Adopts Elon Musk's Starlink Internet Service — Not China
Vietnam has officially paved the way for Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-based internet service. The communist nation has authorised Starlink’s operations to enter the domestic market, with initial capacity targeting hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
According to a report by VN Express International on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, a telecommunications licence has been issued by Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology to the local entity Starlink Services Vietnam.
The licence covers the operation of both fixed and mobile satellite networks. Additionally, the radio frequency authority has granted approval for spectrum usage and the operation of transmission equipment.
With the issuance of this licence, Starlink can legally build and operate signal transmission and reception infrastructure within Vietnamese territory without disrupting existing wireless communication systems.
Local governments have been asked to participate in oversight to ensure the service’s implementation complies with national legal requirements. Although the licence has been secured, a formal commercial launch date has yet to be announced.
The move is a continuation of trial approval granted in April 2025 by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, as reported by AFP.
At that time, Starlink became the first foreign company to receive the green light to test satellite internet services in Vietnam. Following the pilot phase, SpaceX established a domestic business entity as a prerequisite for applying for a full licence.
In the initial phase, regulators have indicated that the rollout will involve four gateway stations and the provision of up to 600,000 user terminals.
Satellite-based internet services are designed to reach areas that are difficult to serve through fibre optic cable networks or conventional telecommunications infrastructure.
Vietnam’s communist government considers this technology a complement to terrestrial networks, particularly in mountainous regions and remote islands.
At a press conference in December 2025, the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority emphasised the role of satellite internet as a backup communication channel during natural disasters such as storms and floods, as the system does not rely on ground-based cables.
Starlink is part of SpaceX’s global strategy to build a broadband network based on low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. By the end of 2025, the company had launched more than 10,000 satellites, although some are no longer active.