Ofcom Proposes To License Amazon’s Project Kuiper To Deliver High-speed Broadband Across The Uk.

Ofcom is considering whether to grant a licence to Amazon's Project Kuiper, a satellite initiative aimed at bringing affordable broadband to unserved and underserved areas, including rural regions, conflict zones and areas affected by natural disasters. The project will deploy 3,232 low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, positioning it as a significant rival to SpaceX's Starlink, which has gained significant momentum since its 2019 launch.

In a statement released on 5 September, Ofcom outlined its proposal to issue a non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) network licence for Kuiper's constellation of satellites, which will operate in the Ka-band frequency. Ofcom has opened a consultation period for public feedback on the application from Amazon Kuiper Services Europe SARL, with the deadline for submissions set for 4th October. The licence would allow an unlimited number of user terminals - such as satellite dishes - to connect to the NGSO's network.

"Our preliminary view is that we will grant an NGSO network licence to Kuiper after assessing the technical coexistence and competitive impact of its system on existing and future NGSO networks, as well as on other spectrum services operating in the same frequencies," Ofcom said in its consultation document. "We invite comments on Kuiper's application and our preliminary conclusions by 4th October 2024."

Notably, just three days before Ofcom's announcement, Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, claimed on his X account that Starlink "will probably deliver over 90% of all space-based internet traffic next year". As we witness this healthy competition between Starlink and Kuiper, we're excited by the positive impact both initiatives are having on bridging the digital divide. Their efforts to provide global connectivity are admirable and critical to bridging the connectivity gap in underserved communities.