Starlink Competitor: Amazon`s Kuiper Project

Amazon launches first Kuiper internet satellites, challenging Starlink.

Amazon officially entered the satellite internet market by launching the first 27 satellites of its Project Kuiper on April 28. The launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, kicks off a long-awaited move to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink.

What is Project Kuiper?

Launched in 2019, Project Kuiper is Amazon’s $10 billion initiative to deliver high-speed broadband internet worldwide via a planned constellation of 3,236 satellites in low-Earth orbit. The project aims to serve consumers, businesses, and governments, directly competing with SpaceX.

The launch details

The satellites were launched aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The initial attempt on April 9 was postponed due to bad weather. The current mission marks the start of Amazon’s operational deployment of Kuiper.

Market competition and expansion

Project Kuiper is not just taking on Starlink, but also challenging major telecom players like AT&T and T-Mobile. Amazon markets the service as especially useful for rural and underserved regions lacking internet access.

The company must deploy at least 1,618 satellites by mid-2026 per FCC regulations. Analysts expect Amazon may request an extension due to its late start.

What's next?

Amazon hopes to begin customer service by the end of 2025, with up to five additional Kuiper launches this year. The company also introduced compact consumer terminals, including a Kindle-sized device, expected to sell for under $400.

Despite entering the market late, Amazon is confident in leveraging its cloud infrastructure and consumer tech experience to become a strong contender in the satellite internet space.

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