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Thanks to the new FCC approval, Amazon is set to deploy 3,236 Project Kuiper broadband satellites into orbit. The company hopes to build a satellite internet service similar to SpaceX’s Starlink, though it may take several years to get up and running.
The FCC initially gave Project Kuiper the green light in 2020. But it requested that Amazon receive regulatory approval for an updated orbital debris mitigation plan. That’s where we are today: The FCC has given a rubber stamp to the new waste mitigation plan, and Amazon can go ahead with Project Kuiper.
Amazon is now working with Blue Origin, ULA, and Arianespace to launch the first prototypes of Project Kuiper. But mass production should start soon. The FCC states that Amazon must have 1,600 satellites in space by mid-2026. Otherwise, the regulatory subsidy will be reviewed and may be withdrawn.
In addition, Amazon must submit semi-annual progress reports to the FCC. And Amazon has to follow its debris mitigation plan, as the FCC requires Project Kuiper satellites to be decommissioned and out of orbit after seven years in space. (The FCC wants to limit “space junk,” which poses a risk to the ISS and future space missions.)
This project costs tens of billions of dollars. So failure is not part of Amazon’s plan. We believe the company will offer satellite internet for years to come, providing an alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink. (Though the companies will probably argue about deploying satellite broadband, as they have in the past.)
Satellite internet is not the best option for those who live in urban or suburban areas. It’s just too expensive. That said, it’s a huge step forward for rural internet access, especially in underserved areas outside of the United States. As a competitor to Starlink, Amazon will help expand satellite Internet access and encourage competition, which can lead to lower prices.
Source: FCC via Engadget
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