Investing in Space: Amazon plays catch-up with SpaceX in satellite internet race

Original story by
FaviconCNBC•Sep 12
•Technology, Space, Business
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📰 Article Summary

Amazon has secured its first contract to provide in-flight WiFi through its Project Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite network, partnering with JetBlue. This comes as Amazon's satellite constellation remains significantly smaller than SpaceX's Starlink, which has established itself as a leader in satellite internet services for airlines. Despite the challenges, the growth potential in satellite-based internet connectivity is significant, with plans for thousands of new satellites set to launch in the coming years, aiming to improve service to underserved populations globally. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to expand its reach by acquiring wireless spectrum licenses to boost its 5G capabilities.

📌 Key Facts

  • Amazon's Project Kuiper Launches In-Flight WiFi Service: Amazon's Project Kuiper is set to provide in-flight WiFi for JetBlue starting in 2027, marking its first commercial partnership. This initiative aims to enhance JetBlue's current Fly-fi offerings and signal Amazon's entry into the competitive satellite internet market.
  • SpaceX's Starlink Dominates the Market: Currently, SpaceX's Starlink dominates the satellite internet market with over 8,000 satellites deployed. This scale gives Starlink a significant head start in catering to airline customers including major names like Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines.
  • The Satellite Internet Opportunity: The satellite internet sector is projected to grow substantially, with over 70,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites planned for launch by various global operators. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for internet access in remote and underserved areas.
  • Comparative Satellite Counts: As of now, Amazon's Project Kuiper has only 102 satellites in orbit, whereas Starlink's fleet is vastly larger, making it challenging for Amazon to catch up before its target of 3,236 satellites by 2029.
  • Regulatory and Technological Developments: With the Federal Communications Commission setting a deadline for deploying a certain number of satellites, both Amazon and SpaceX are under pressure to expand quickly. SpaceX has a robust launch schedule which has contributed to its significant satellite presence.

📂 Article Classification

Topic Tags: Satellite Internet

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