- Amazon seeks regulatory approval for satellite internet service in India.
- Project Kuiper plans to deploy over 3,200 LEO satellites globally.
- Competitors include Starlink, Jio Space Fiber, and Bharti Airtel-Eutelsat OneWeb.
Amazon is accelerating its efforts to enter the Indian satellite internet market through its ambitious Project Kuiper initiative. The company has approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking authorization to provide broadband services via low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
To support its satellite network, Amazon plans to establish significant ground infrastructure, including 10 gateway earth stations. They will also create two presence points in Mumbai and Chennai.
India’s Satellite Internet Race Heats Up with Amazon’s Kuiper Entr
Amazon is making strategic moves to enter India’s satellite internet market. This is through Project Kuiper, a satellite broadband service aimed at delivering high-speed internet to underserved areas. The company recently resubmitted its application to the DoT, seeking a Letter of Intent (LoI) under the GMPCS licensing framework. This action highlights its readiness to roll out the service.
The move comes as India witnesses heightened competition in satellite communications. Starlink has already received regulatory approvals while Jio Space Fiber and Bharti Airtel-Eutelsat OneWeb are preparing for their own rollouts. While Starlink currently operates a massive constellation of over 7,000 satellites, Amazon’s Kuiper network is in its early stages, aiming to deploy over 3,200 LEO satellites.
Amazon’s plans for India include establishing key infrastructure. This involves 10 gateway earth stations and data-routing hubs in major cities like Mumbai and Chennai. These facilities are intended to optimize network latency and data connectivity. They position Kuiper as a strong contender in India’s burgeoning satellite internet sector.
Project Kuiper’s entry into India could significantly disrupt the market by offering affordable, high-speed broadband to remote areas. With a focus on extensive ground infrastructure, and a rapidly expanding satellite constellation, Amazon is positioning itself as a formidable player in the global satellite communications arena.
Amazon’s entry into the Indian satellite internet market underscores the intensifying competition to provide affordable and widespread broadband access in the country.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for education, business, and economic progress.” — Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon
