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Amazon’s Kuiper Network Surpasses 1 Gbps, Intensifying Satellite Internet Rivalry with SpaceX
Amazon’s Project Kuiper Hits New Speed Record
Amazon’s satellite venture, Project Kuiper, has successfully delivered transfer speeds above 1 gigabit per second through its advanced enterprise-class terminal, according to a speed test published by project leader Rajeev Badyal. The demonstration reached 1,280 megabits per second using hardware designed for commercial clients, highlighting Amazon’s growing presence in the competitive satellite broadband sector. While upload figures have yet to be disclosed, Amazon promises they will also be substantial.
Milestones and Market Positioning
With over 100 Kuiper satellites now circling at roughly 630 km above Earth, Amazon is rapidly scaling up its LEO constellation and has promised more launches in the coming weeks. The company’s latest round of trials featured its sophisticated phased array antenna—purportedly the first commercial model to top 1 Gbps in orbit. However, these results were achieved under lab conditions using high-end terminals; real-world speeds for future everyday users will likely be lower due to shared network bandwidth.
Competition Heats Up
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, currently leads the market for satellite internet, but both companies are focused on pushing the technology forward. Amazon states that its standard Kuiper antenna will target download speeds up to 400 Mbps, comparable to Starlink’s consumer offering, while both companies are preparing enterprise solutions that could break the gigabit threshold on a wider scale.
Launch Plans and Regulatory Goals
Amazon has not yet announced an official public launch date, but aims to open its network to customers sometime in 2025. The upcoming Kuiper mission is set to launch an additional 27 satellites, bolstering the constellation further. Under FCC requirements, Amazon must have at least 1,618 satellites operational by mid-2026, with the full fleet of 3,236 expected by July 2029