Amazon to compete with SpaceX Starlink in 2024 with its own internet-from-space service called Project Kuiper

Per Reuters

Amazon is planning its own service to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink by offering internet-from-space service to customers. The project is called Project Kuiper, and the company plans to start its beta test in 2024.

The company said they would start mass-producing satellites later this 2023, which would be the first of over 3,000 satellites over the next few years. Amazon devices senior vice president Dave Limp gave a statement regarding how they would start its beta testing in 2024.

Limp: "We'll definitely be beta testing with commercial customers in 2024,"

Amazon plans to complete half its 3,236 satellite network in 2026, initially starting with its 2024 deployment. The company is also expected to add $10 billion in investment to its internet-from-space network.

In order to launch these satellites into space, Amazon plans to strap them on a new rocket from United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed. The company could provide 400 Mbps internet speeds for customers at the production cost of $400 for each of its 11-inch square antennas.

On the other hand, a SpaceX Starlink terminal costs consumers $599 each and is already being used by over a million customers as of press time. The largest antenna model of Amazon is designed to reach 1 Gbps.

Earlier this year, SpaceX reached an agreement with Carnival Corporation for Global Fleet to get Starlink WiFi. The rollout of Starlink to different Carnival Cruise brands started in December 2022.

SpaceX also planned to raise $750 million by offering secondary shares for its first funding round of 2023. This would follow the company's last funding round in June 2022, where it was able to raise $1.68 billion.

With its new funding round, the company would be valued at $137 billion. Andreessen Horowitz is among its investors.

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