Amazon Plans Satellite Broadband Service in the UK to Compete with Starlink
Amazon has announced ambitious plans to launch a satellite broadband service in the UK within the next two years as part of its Project Kuiper initiative. The tech giant aims to establish a network of 3,000 small satellites that will provide internet coverage, including mobile phone signals, even in the most remote areas of the country.
In a regulatory filing, Amazon stated it intends to seek access to British radio frequencies in the coming years. This development positions Amazon to compete directly with SpaceX's Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite internet sector with 6,000 active satellites and approximately 4 million customers globally.
The proposed service could include direct-to-device connections, allowing smartphones to link directly with satellites, potentially available to consumers as early as this year subject to regulatory approval. Such connectivity may benefit government and emergency service communications.
Amazon had previously intended to launch its first commercial satellites by the end of 2023 but faced delays. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket company is gearing up for its own launches, heightening competition in the aerospace sector.
Amazon has called on the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, to facilitate access for satellite providers to necessary radio spectrum across various frequencies to ensure they do not interfere with existing networks.
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