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Amazon’s satellite business Project Kuiper is moving forward with plans to launch broadband services in the UK, as the technology group founded by Jeff Bezos looks to take on Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Although not yet operational, Kuiper has previously said it plans to begin deploying its satellite constellation in early 2025 and plans to roll out broadband services later this year. It aims to compete with Starlink in low-Earth orbit, a region of space where satellites can provide broadband to areas of the planet that are underserved by traditional internet service.
Kuiper needs approval from Britain’s telecoms regulator Ofcom before it can offer broadband services across the country. Consultation on Ofcom’s proposal for approval of Mr Kuiper’s license concluded in October, but a final decision on Mr Kuiper’s license is pending.
Ofcom said on Sunday it was “still considering Amazon’s application for an Earth Station Network license to enable Amazon Kuiper to operate terminals in the UK”.
Amazon is also in talks with the UK Ministry of Defence. Mr Kuiper discussed research he carried out on behalf of the UK Space Force last year, according to the filing. Bezos’ other space company, Blue Origin, also held “capability discussions,” according to transparency data released by the government department. The meeting was first reported by the Sunday Telegraph.
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Ministry of Defense declined to comment.
Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starlink operates in more than 100 countries, including the UK. If Amazon launches satellite service in the UK, it will increase demand for Musk’s broadband service there. Ofcom reported in December that the number of Starlink service connections had reached 87,000 connections across the UK, more than double the 42,000 connections the previous year, with the majority of those connections being in rural areas.
Starlink satellite broadband capacity in the southeastern part of the country has also been sold out. The airline’s website shows there are waiting lists for new connections in areas including London, Milton Keynes to Hastings and Andover to Canterbury.
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In the game of catching up with Starlink, Kuiper first needs to get Ofcom’s approval to license specific band frequencies that will allow it to deliver broadband from a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit.
Ofcom said in September that Kuiper was “providing secure, fast, low-latency broadband services to a range of UK retail and wholesale customers, including homes, schools, hospitals, offices, government agencies, first responders and disaster relief providers.” announced that it plans to provide .
Kuiper’s planned satellite constellation was then scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024, but the project had already been hit by delays.
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Kuiper is also eyeing direct-to-device satellite services that will allow consumers to send text messages, make calls and use data on their phones. Ofcom published a consultation on the service in November and said Amazon was “exploring options” for such a plan.
Mr Kuiper said direct-to-device services had the “potential to drive innovation and improve connectivity even in the most remote areas of the UK”, adding that “direct-to-device services have the potential to drive innovation and improve connectivity even in the most remote areas of the UK”, adding: “This is especially valuable in emergency situations,” he added. After a natural or man-made disaster that compromises terrestrial networks. ”
Ofcom announced on Sunday that it will consult on specific proposals to license direct-to-device satellite services in the mobile band in the UK early this year. “Given stakeholder reactions and our final decision, such services could be available to consumers in the second half of 2025,” it added.
Additional reporting by Anna Gross in London
