 "Amazon plans to enter internet service business in the UK with their satellite broadband plan")
Amazon is preparing to enter the UK as an ISP with its ambitious satellite broadband plan, aiming to deliver reliable connectivity to even the most remote areas. The tech giant, founded by Jeff Bezos, plans to leverage its Project Kuiper initiative to offer satellite internet access in the UK within the next two years.
Regulatory filings reveal Amazon’s intention to secure British radio frequencies soon, as it prepares to launch a vast constellation of satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Competing in the satellite internet race
The satellite internet industry is becoming a competitive battleground, with companies rushing to deploy clusters of low-Earth orbit satellites. These smaller satellites, orbiting less than 1,000 km from Earth, provide continuous coverage without the delays associated with geostationary satellites that orbit at 35,000 km.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to deploy 3,000 satellites, taking on SpaceX’s Starlink, which has already established a commanding lead in the sector. Starlink operates with over 6,000 satellites and serves four million customers globally. Starlink’s systems have also played a crucial role in Ukraine, demonstrating their potential for government and defence applications.
While Kuiper plans to offer connectivity through small terminals initially, the company has hinted at exploring direct-to-device services. These would allow smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for specialised equipment. Amazon has asked UK regulator OFCOM to grant satellite providers broader access to radio spectrum, provided they do not disrupt existing mobile networks.
Faster connectivity with cutting-edge satellites
Direct-to-device technology could become available to UK consumers as soon as this year, pending Ofcom’s upcoming consultations. Amazon’s filings suggest this service could benefit not only everyday users but also government, defence, and emergency responders seeking secure communication options.
Amazon has faced delays with Project Kuiper’s satellite launches, initially scheduled for late last year. Despite this, the company successfully launched prototypes in 2023 and is now targeting the deployment of its first commercial satellites in 2024.
A new rivalry in space
Amazon’s move into satellite broadband marks yet another arena where Bezos and Elon Musk go head-to-head. Alongside Kuiper, Bezos’s rocket company, Blue Origin, is preparing to launch its reusable New Glenn rocket. This system is designed to compete with SpaceX’s game-changing Falcon 9, which has drastically reduced space launch costs.
With satellite broadband promising improved global connectivity, Amazon’s plans could redefine how rural and underserved communities access the internet, while intensifying competition in the rapidly growing space technology market.
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