Amazon accumulates sufficient satellites for Starlink competitor

Amazon says it now has enough satellites operating in low-Earth orbit to support its Starlink internet competitor. With last night's launch, Amazon's Project Kuiper, referred to here as Amazon Leo, has 396 satellites deployed, which is "enough to support continuous service across initial latitudes," according to Chris Weber, VP heading up business and product for Amazon Leo. That puts the company on track to meet its "mid-2026" target for commercial availability.

Just don't expect miracles on day one. SpaceX went live with its "Better than nothing beta" back in 2020 when it had almost 900 satellites operating in low-Earth orbit. It initially served a narrow band of users in the upper Midwest before expanding service to more areas.

Amazon's achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of its satellite internet service. The company aims to provide broadband connectivity to underserved communities and compete with established players like SpaceX's Starlink and others. The progress made by Amazon and SpaceX highlights the growing interest in satellite internet services.

As more companies enter the market, consumers can expect increased competition and potentially better services. Why this matters: The availability of Amazon's satellite internet service will provide consumers with a new option for broadband connectivity, particularly in areas where traditional internet services are limited or unavailable. This development also puts pressure on existing players like SpaceX to continue innovating and improving their services.

As the satellite internet market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Amazon's service is received by consumers and how it impacts the broader industry. With many questions still surrounding the technical capabilities and pricing of Amazon's service, it remains to be seen how it will compete with established players and what implications this will have for the future of internet connectivity.