Amazon will roll out a satellite broadband service in the United Kingdom within the next two years, in a bid to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.
Project Kuiper, Amazon’s satellite arm, is expected to launch a low-Earth orbit satellite constellation this year. Amazon has sought approval from U.K. communications regulator Ofcom to begin broadband operations in the country, with a final decision pending.
“The Kuiper System’s broadband communication service will enable reliable internet connectivity to homes, schools, hospitals, libraries, and government facilities, both at fixed locations and on the move,” Amazon said in an Ofcom regulatory filing. “We will also offer communications services to support disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and peace-keeping missions.”
Project Kuiper’s 3,000 satellites will be launched by Arianespace, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance, as well as Amazon’s own Blue Origin.
Amazon hopes to offer Project Kuiper broadband to individuals, businesses, and the U.K. government, according to the regulatory filing. It will eventually be available worldwide.
Starlink operates 87,000 connections in the U.K., Ofcom said in December. The company is requesting approval from Ofcom to connect devices directly to its satellites, without a Starlink terminal.
While Project Kuiper’s initial rollout will also use terminals, it is considering options to directly connect devices with satellites.
Starlink is also reportedly negotiating a deal to provide the Italian government with top-level encryption for telephone and internet services. It is set to add in-flight internet to airlines like United Airlines and Qatar Airways this year.
Amazon’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) share price closed at US$224.19 on Friday, up from its previous close at $220.22. Its market capitalisation is US$2.36 trillion.