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Tech giant surprises by announcing a bold and spatial initiative that promises to transform the way the entire world connects to the internet.
Constellation of more than 3 satellites aims to bring fast connection to any point on the planet, including regions without traditional coverage
The race for satellite internet dominance has gained a powerful new competitor.
After the success of Starlink, from Elon Musk's SpaceX, Amazon is preparing to launch its own space constellation, with the promise of bringing high-speed connectivity to anywhere in the world. — including remote areas where the Internet traditional is not enough.
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The e-commerce giant's ambitious project, dubbed Kuiper Project, provides for the installation of more than 3.200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), creating a global coverage mesh to provide fast, stable, low-latency internet.
The first big step will happen on April 9, 2025, when Amazon will place the first 27 satellites of the KA-01 mission into orbit, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, United States.
The launch will be carried out with the Atlas V rocket, from the United Launch Alliance (ULA).
Technological advances and less visual impact
According to Amazon itself, the new satellites are technologically superior to the prototypes tested in October 2023., bringing innovations such as next-generation processors, phased array antennas, more efficient solar panels and optical links for communication between satellites.
With the scientific community in mind, the company's engineers also sought reduce visual pollution in the night sky, applying a dielectric mirror film coating that reflects less sunlight.
This measure responds to criticisms made of Starlink, whose satellites interfere with astronomical observation.
Another highlight is the system of active propulsion, which allows individual control of each satellite, from launch to final positioning and operation in orbit, increasing safety and precision in constellation formation.
Three antenna types for three user profiles
Amazon's internet will be accessible through client terminals, which function as receiving antennas.
The company will make available three different models, each aimed at a specific type of user.
The most compact model, with about 500 grams, is designed to serve residential users, small businesses and mobile applications such as vessels and moving vehicles.
This terminal promises speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
The intermediate version, which weighs around 5 kg, offers higher speed, reaching 400 Mbps.
Finally, the most robust and powerful terminal, with a rectangular shape, will be intended for companies and government agencies, with delivery capacity of up to 1 Gbps speed.
Low-orbit satellites ensure lower latency
One of the main advantages of Project Kuiper is the strategic positioning of the satellites.
They will be only 450 km from the earth's surface, a distance that guarantees lower latency and greater response speed — one of the main differences between satellite internet and traditional networks or geostationary satellites.
Additionally, Amazon is investing in a robust ground infrastructure, with gateway antennas spread across different points around the globe, capable of sending and receiving data from satellites and retransmitting them to users.
The system operations center is located at Redmond, Washington state, in the United States.
The name comes from space, and the ambition is galactic
The name of the project was not chosen by chance.
Kuiper is a reference to the Kuiper Belt, a region of the Solar System located beyond the orbit of Neptune, rich in icy bodies and comets.
The choice reinforces the spatial and visionary character of the initiative.
Since the project's founding in 2019, Amazon has reinforced its commitment to global digital inclusion.
The proposal is to offer a viable connection alternative in regions where conventional operators do not operate, such as rural areas, forests, deserts, conflict zones and isolated communities.
How much will Amazon's new internet cost?
Although Amazon still has not officially disclosed the prices of the service, the expectation is that the values will be more affordable than those charged by competitors, especially by Starlink.
According to information available on the project page, the company intends to adopt the same low-cost philosophy applied to other products of the brand, such as Echo devices and Kindle readers.
The estimated value of the most basic client terminal will be approximately US$ 400 (about R$ 2.276 at the current exchange rate).
The monthly service fee will vary depending on the speed plan contracted.
The idea is that testing with corporate clients and selected users will begin later this year., according to the schedule released by Amazon.
Full-scale commercial operation is expected to begin at the end of 2025, initially in specific regions.
In Brazil, the company already has the Anatel's authorization to offer internet via satellite, granted in 2022. However, the start date of operations in the country has not yet been announced.
The clash between giants: Amazon vs Starlink
With Project Kuiper, Amazon officially enters a market dominated by Elon Musk, whose Starlink already has more than 5 satellites in operation and millions of users in dozens of countries.
However, experts point out that competition can be positive for consumers, forcing price reductions and constant improvements in the quality of services.
Another difference with Amazon is the possibility of integration with its other services, such as AWS (cloud), smart devices and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, which can drive adoption in sectors such as agribusiness, logistics, defense and education.
Would you like to have internet that works even in the middle of the forest or on the high seas?
Comment where you would use Amazon's connection and if it can really beat Elon Musk's Starlink!
