Starlink Services Vietnam, a company under billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX, registered its business in 9/2025 with a charter capital of 30 billion VND. According to the National Enterprise Registration Portal, the company's main business is satellite telecommunications. Headquartered in Hanoi, it operates as a limited liability company and is the first foreign enterprise approved by Vietnam to pilot satellite internet services.

The 30 billion VND charter capital is represented by Starlink Holdings Netherlands B.V (Netherlands). Lauren Ashley Dreyer, Vice President of Global Starlink Business Operations, serves as chairperson, while a Vietnamese national holds the general director position.

Foreign enterprises often register with low and symbolic charter capital when establishing legal entities in Vietnam. Many foreign companies have operated with modest initial capital before Starlink. For instance, Apple established a legal entity in Vietnam in 2015 with a charter capital of 15 billion VND, which remains unchanged. Boeing set up a company in Vietnam three years later with 4,5 billion VND in capital. After seven years of operation, the US aircraft manufacturer first increased its capital to 35 billion VND.

Charter capital serves as "legal capital" for enterprises to complete investment procedures and obtain operating licenses. It does not fully reflect the financial scale or long-term commitment of the parent company. In practice, their operational resources are gradually supplemented through internal loans, service contracts, or phased capital increases, depending on business plans and market expansion.

A phone connecting and measuring the speed of SpaceX Starlink satellite internet during a trial in Hoa Lac (Hanoi) in 10/2023. *Photo: Luu Quy*

Starlink is an ambitious plan by SpaceX to provide internet coverage in hard-to-reach areas. The service deployed by billionaire Elon Musk's company is suitable for places where internet cables cannot reach, or where network infrastructure has been damaged by conflict or natural disasters. It is currently available in 125 countries and territories, serving 5 million users.

Starlink received a pilot license from Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc in 4/2025, marking its status as the first foreign enterprise approved by Vietnam to pilot satellite internet services. After many months of completing procedures, Elon Musk's SpaceX company was granted a license by the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide Starlink satellite internet services in Vietnam. It also obtained a license for frequency usage and radio equipment from the Radio Frequency Department.

In the initial phase, Starlink will deploy with 4 gateway stations and a maximum of 600,000 user terminals. Receiving these licenses means Starlink can legally build receiving and transmitting infrastructure without causing interference to existing radio communication networks. This supports the sustainable development of the telecommunications market and expands satellite internet connectivity.

Phuong Dong