Amazon is preparing to launch a satellite broadband service in the UK by 2027 to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink. The tech giant has filed regulatory documents with Ofcom, requesting access to specific radio frequencies to support its Project Kuiper constellation. Project Kuiper aims to provide reliable internet access to homes, schools, hospitals, libraries, and government facilities across Britain.
Amazon plans to initially reach customers through terminals, with potential future developments for direct-to-device services. Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, also owns Blue Origin, the rocket company responsible for launching the Kuiper satellites into orbit. The first commercial availability of the service is expected to begin in 2025.
Amazon believes its system can help close the digital divide in rural areas that lack fast fixed-line or mobile broadband. The company is also exploring the possibility of building ground-based hubs, known as “gateways,” to support its network and boost speeds.
Amazon’s UK Project Kuiper initiative
In addition to consumer internet services, Amazon envisions the Kuiper system aiding disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and peace-keeping missions. The company has been engaging with British defence officials to secure military contracts for its satellite network. The debut of Project Kuiper in Britain brings Bezos into direct competition with Elon Musk’s Starlink, which already has 87,000 customers in Britain and 4 million globally.
While Amazon’s Kuiper has experienced delays, it aims to begin its first commercial service launches in early 2025 and ramp up by the end of the year. Amazon stated in its submission to Ofcom that it plans to serve UK customers ranging from individual consumers to businesses and various branches of the UK Government. The company applied for a licence to operate its services in the UK in September, with the regulator expected to approve the petition.
As Amazon prepares to enter the competitive LEO satellite broadband market, it is clear that the industry is set for significant growth and innovation in the coming years. The tech giant’s move could help increase access to reliable internet services across Britain, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
