Amazon launches first satellites for global Internet service

Amazon has launched the first 27 satellites for its Project Kuiper Internet service. These satellites were sent into space from Florida as part of Amazon’s $10 billion plan to provide high-speed Internet from space to people around the world.

Project Kuiper will eventually include 3,236 satellites in low-Earth orbit. The goal is to offer the Internet to homes, businesses, and governments - especially in places where traditional connections are limited or unavailable.

This makes it a direct competitor to Starlink, the satellite Internet service from Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.

How Project Kuiper works

The satellites were launched on an Atlas V rocket, a vehicle made by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after weather delayed the first attempt.

Project Kuiper is one of Amazon’s biggest projects. The company sees satellite Internet as a way to connect rural and remote communities that often struggle with reliable Internet access. However, the project has already faced delays. Amazon originally planned to start launches in early 2024, but it has only just begun now.

To meet a requirement from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Amazon must launch at least half of the planned satellites - 1,618 of them - by mid-2026. Because of the delay, Amazon may request more time.

The company expects to make contact with the satellites shortly after launch and begin providing service to customers later this year.

Competing with Starlink

Amazon is entering a space already led by Starlink, which has launched over 8,000 satellites since 2019 and now serves more than 5 million users across 125 countries. SpaceX launches new satellites almost every week to expand and improve its network.

Unlike Amazon, SpaceX builds and launches its own rockets, which gives it a big advantage in speed and cost. Amazon, however, hopes to use its experience in consumer products and cloud computing to attract customers to Project Kuiper.

Amazon previously tested two prototype satellites in 2023 and removed them from orbit in 2024 after successful trials. The company had not shared many updates until recently, when it announced the first full launch.

Amazon plans to launch more satellites this year and begin offering service in some northern and southern areas once 578 satellites are in place. As more satellites go up, the service will expand toward the equator.

What this means for NBN in Australia

Project Kuiper could provide Australians - especially those in rural and remote locations - with a new option for fast and reliable Internet. This may affect demand for traditional National Broadband Network (NBN) services, particularly in areas where NBN satellite or fixed wireless is currently the only choice.

While the NBN remains the main provider of broadband across Australia, new satellite services like Amazon’s Kuiper and Starlink are creating more competition and could help fill coverage gaps.

Find the best plan for your area

If you're curious about how Project Kuiper and other satellite services might affect your Internet options, now is a great time to explore what's available.

Contact Compare Broadband on 1300 764 000 to check which NBN plans and broadband services are available in your area. Whether you're in the city or a rural town, they can help you find the right plan for your needs.