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A commercial launch would put the company in direct competition with satellite giant Starlink
Jeff Bezos is preparing to launch a satellite broadband service in the UK to rival Elon Musk’s Starklink, according to an article published by the Telegraph over the weekend.
Through its Project Kuiper satellite division, Amazon is gearing up to offer satellite broadband in the UK.
The Project, though heavily delayed, ultimately aims to launch more than more than 3,200 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, which will deliver high-speed broadband to underserved areas around the world.
In a regulatory filing, Amazon revealed it is preparing to launch its commercial satellite service as early as this year, beginning targeting businesses and government contracts.
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom is currently evaluating Amazon’s application for an Earth Station Network licence. Amazon is also seeking increased access to UK radio waves and exploring ground-based hubs, or “gateways,” to enhance its satellite network.
Aside from the regulator, Amazon has also already entered talks with the UK government – specifically the Ministry of Defence, having already performed a study on behalf of the UK Space Command.
Through its cloud service platform AWS, Amazon is already a large-scale supplier to the British government.
Amazon has positioned Kuiper as a competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink, which already serves 87,000 customers in the UK (according to the Telegraph). While Starlink has surged ahead with nearly 7,000 satellites in orbit, Kuiper’s rollout has faced delays, with both due to regulatory permissions and satellite launches. Despite this, Amazon told Ofcom its system is uniquely suited to reaching hard-to-serve areas, a claim backed by partnerships with telecom operators like Vodafone and engagement with UK defense officials.
Amazon officially applied for a license to operate its Project Kuiper satellite network through Ofcom in September. The company applied for permission to use the Ka-band frequencies for its non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite system, which promises faster and more reliable broadband services compared to traditional satellite technology.
Ofcom allowed for public feedback on the proposal, which closed in mid-October. The regulator is now reviewing the responses before making a final decision on whether to approve the license, while Amazon is progressing with its plans.
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