DotCom Magazine Has Learned That Amazon Request Approval in U.S. To Deploy 4,.5K More Satellites for Internet Based Project
Amazon.com has applied for approval from communications regulators in the U.S. to position 4.5K more satellites as part of the firm’s effort to provide broadband internet to global areas that don’t have high-speed service.
Previously, Amazon revealed it has plans to spend more than $10 billion to build 3,236 satellites via its program known as Project Kuiper. It has now requested Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to position 7,774 satellites in total for the project.
Amazon has also asked for FCC approval for launching and operating two prototype satellites by the end of next year.
In its filing, Amazon says the satellites will provide reliable broadband to hospitals, households, government agencies, businesses, and other organizations globally, including in geographic locations where it is lacking.
The company filing said that although global connectivity has improved, only 51% of the population are online globally, and in developing countries, only 44% of the population.
The FCC in 2020 approved Project Kuiper’s plan for the low-Earth orbit satellites that will compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX’s Starlink network.
Amazon has recently argued with Musk and accused the billionaire of flaunting numerous government-imposed rules.
Musk and Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, are also rivals in the private space launch business. Although Bezos’ Blue Origin challenged NASA’s decision to award SpaceX a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract, a judge has rejected the challenge.
SpaceX has more than 1,7K satellites in orbit.
The FCC recently approved Boeing Co’s application for launching and operating 147 satellites to enable high-speed broadband internet access.
In 2017, Boeing filed with the FCC for the first time to seek approval to deploy a V-band Constellation of mainly low-Earth orbit satellites.
According to Boeing, there was a multi-orbit future for satellite technologies. As the demand for satellite communications increases, diversity will be needed across frequencies and orbital regimes to satisfy unique customer requirements.
