Amazon plans to build a satellite network for high-speed internet
Amazon is planning to build a network of more than 3,000 satellites federal filings reveal, in an ambitious attempt to provide global internet access.
Known as Project Kuiper, the move represents the latest space ambition from Jeff Bezos. Amazon has previously announced its cloud business will build a network of satellite facilities on Earth and Bezos’ space venture Blue Origin continues to move closer to launching space tourists.
“Project Kuiper is a new initiative to launch a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites that will provide low-latency, high-speed broadband connectivity to unserved and underserved communities around the world,” an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in an emailed statement.
“This is a long-term project that envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband internet. We look forward to partnering on this initiative with companies that share this common vision.”
Amazon’s proposal is for a network of 3,236 satellites. Building, launching and operating the satellites will require intensive capital, likely billions of dollars. But Bezos has already been funding Blue Origin with upwards of $1 billion a year and Amazon itself remains one of the world’s most valuable companies.
Kuiper is the name of a belt of objects that include asteroids and dwarf planets. It was named for the late Dutch American astronomer Gerard Kuiper.
More Amazon news
Amazon Appeals for FBA Sellers: What Not to Do (Part 2)
Don’t send multiple letters after submitting the first appeal Once the first appeal has been submitted, it is best to wait up to a week before submitting any additional letters. The days of “12-24 hour” response times are long gone due to the volume of appeals that...
US-China trade war
Deal agreed to suspend new trade tariffs US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to halt new trade tariffs for 90 days to allow for talks, reports BBC. At a post-G20 summit meeting in Buenos Aires, Mr Trump agreed not to boost...
Amazon tops the list of the most innovative companies
The most innovative company in 2018 Amazon spent nearly $23 billion on research and development in 2018 Amazon topped the list of 1,000 major global companies in terms of spending on research and development (R&D) over the past one year, with a spending of $22.6...