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Investing in Space: Amazon plays catch-up with SpaceX in satellite internet race
CNBC· 2025-09-12 05:32
Core Insights - Amazon's Project Kuiper has secured its first contract to provide in-flight WiFi to JetBlue, marking a significant step in its satellite internet ambitions despite a limited number of satellites in orbit [1][2][3] Company Developments - Amazon's Kuiper satellite count reached 102, significantly lower than the 1,600 satellites required by the FCC by July 2026 and the target of 3,236 by July 2029 [3] - JetBlue plans to utilize Amazon's services starting in 2027, indicating a competitive move against established players like SpaceX's Starlink [2][3] Industry Landscape - The satellite internet market is becoming increasingly competitive, with SpaceX's Starlink currently leading with 8,393 satellites in orbit as of September 8, 2023 [3] - Global satellite operators are planning approximately 70,000 LEO satellite launches between 2025 and 2031, driven by the anticipated mainstream use of satellite internet technology for 6G communications [6] - Approximately 2.5 billion people, or 30.5% of the global population, currently lack internet access, highlighting a significant market opportunity for satellite internet services [6] Competitive Actions - SpaceX is actively expanding its capabilities, recently agreeing to a $17 billion deal to acquire Echostar's wireless spectrum licenses to enhance Starlink's 5G services [7]