Pilot programme allows SpaceX to provide satellite Internet services in Vietnam
This pilot programme will not impose any restrictions on foreign investors regarding ownership percentages or capital contributions, according to recently-signed Decision No. 659/QD-TTg.
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has signed a decision granting approval for a controlled pilot programme to deploy telecommunications services using low Earth orbit satellite technology, which is set to be carried out by the US’s Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX).
This pilot programme will not impose any restrictions on foreign investors regarding ownership percentages or capital contributions, according to recently-signed Decision No. 659/QD-TTg.
Specific details of the pilot include a controlled pilot investment in telecommunications services involving satellite network infrastructure using low Earth orbit technology in Vietnam.
The programme will adhere to national security and defence principles, with no restrictions on foreign ownership, in line with Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15 passed by the National Assembly on February 19, 2025 regarding pilot mechanisms and policies that foster breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and the national digital transformation.
The issuance of permits for the use of radio frequencies and equipment to telecom service providers using low Earth orbit satellite technology will also be piloted, replacing the previous method of granting permits for individual terminal device users as specified in Resolution No. 193/2025/QH15.
The pilot programme will end before January 1, 2031.
The decision clarifies that the pilot phase for providing telecommunications services using low Earth orbit satellite technology will last five years, starting from the date when a company established in Vietnam by the pilot organisation receives its business licence. This trial period must conclude by January 1, 2031.
It specifies that both the pilot organisation and the company established in Vietnam must ensure compliance with all requirements and conditions for implementing the trial. This includes stipulations regarding the types of services offered, the scope of deployment, the maximum number of subscriptions, frequency usage, and crucially, national defence and security considerations.
The services to be piloted nationwide will include fixed satellite services such as Internet access and leased channels for mobile station transmission, and mobile satellite services like Internet access at sea and on aircraft.
The maximum number of subscriptions permitted for the pilot phase will be 🐽600,000, which includes the total number of subscribers for the services provided by the Vietnam-based company and those reselling ൩the services through local telecom providers./.
Data from the satellite is expected to meet Vietnam’s growing demand for high-quality imagery, aiding in disaster response, climate change mitigation, natural resource management and environmental monitoring.
Vietnam aims to master remote sensing satellite manufacturing technology by 2030. Le Quoc Hung, Deputy Director of the National Remote Sensing Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, talks how this technology serves as a crucial tool in multiple sectors, particularly monitoring natural resources and the environment.
The VINASAT-Que Duong Satellite Control and Operations Station, located in Cat Que Commune, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi, was inaugurated in January 2007 and completed by June 2007. This station manages and operates Vietnam's first two communication satellites, VINASAT-1 and VINASAT-2.
Vietnamese businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), must embrace digital and AI transformations to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth, experts said.
Under the European Union (EU)’s global initiative on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CoE), Vietnam has implemented numerous projects aimed at strengthening national capacity in detecting, preventing, and preparing for CBRN-related threats.
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
