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NBN announces partnering with Amazon Kuiper
NBN Co has officially announced its collaboration with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to introduce next-generation satellite broadband across regional, rural, and remote Australia. Starting from mid-2026, NBN will offer wholesale low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband via Kuiper, set to reach over 300,000 premises that currently depend on geostationary Sky Muster satellites. This marks a transition to a more advanced and robust satellite solution powered by an entirely new satellite architecture
What Sets Kuiper Apart
Project Kuiper aims to transform the connectivity landscape by deploying a constellation of over 3,200 satellites in LEO, specifically engineered for reliability and fast speeds in underserved areas. The technology dramatically reduces signal latency compared to geostationary systems and leverages innovative customer terminals powered by Amazon’s proprietary Prometheus chip.
Next-Gen Customer Equipment
Kuiper will offer several terminal options: a compact, under $400 residential/business model (less than 11-inch square, ~400 Mbps), a super-lightweight portable unit (7-inch square, just 1 pound, ~100 Mbps), and a larger commercial-grade terminal (19x30 inches, up to 1 Gbps) designed for enterprise needs
All terminals use flat-panel phased array antennas to track satellites dynamically, supporting strong throughput while remaining compact and easy to install
These innovations are set to outpace legacy LEO systems in both affordability and efficiency.
Powered by Amazon Prometheus
The custom Prometheus chip at the heart of each Kuiper device brings together the strengths of high-end 5G mobile chipsets, the network handling of a cellular base station, and the robust links of microwave backhaul—enabling rapid data flows between customer terminals and orbiting satellites as well as within Kuiper’s mesh network
Launch Schedule and Transition
Amazon began its operational satellite launches for Kuiper in April 2025 and already has nearly 80 satellites in orbit as deployment accelerates for global coverage
Through advanced optical inter-satellite links and a deep cloud integration with AWS, Kuiper promises reliable, low-latency broadband at scale.
NBN’s agreement includes professional installation at no charge for eligible existing Sky Muster satellite customers, and thorough consultation is underway to finalise services, speed tiers, and pricing
Quick Comparison Table: Kuiper Terminals
| Terminal Type | Size & Weight| Estimated Max Speed | Use Case
|-----------------------|---------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| Standard (Residential)| <11” square, <5 lbs | ~400 Mbps | Homes, Small Business||
| Ultra-Compact | 7” square, ~1 lb| ~100 Mbps | Mobile, IoT, Remote work ||
| High-Bandwidth| 19” x 30” (larger)| ~1 Gbps | Enterprise, Government ||
This partnership is expected to deliver a dramatic leap forward for Australians in remote areas—bridging the digital divide by bringing world-class internet service within reach for hundreds of thousands starting in 2026
