Latest news with #JoeLathan
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Amazon's Starlink Alternative Is Coming to Australia Next Summer
Amazon's Project Kuiper is finally getting a launch date. Today, Amazon announced an agreement with Australia's state-owned National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) to bring the satellite internet service to 300,000 eligible customers in rural Australia in 'the middle of 2026.' The announcement comes five years after the Federal Communications Commission first gave Amazon permission to deploy a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites similar to SpaceX's Starlink service. Since then, Amazon has launched just 78 Project Kuiper satellites -- far below the 8,073 active Starlink satellites in orbit. 'Australia's vast geography presents unique connectivity challenges that traditional infrastructure often can't overcome,' Joe Lathan, Project Kuiper's manager for Australia and New Zealand, said in the press release. 'This partnership with NBN Co represents our commitment to solving these challenges through innovation and collaboration.' This is the first time Amazon has put a firm launch date on its Project Kuiper internet service. In a page updated on June 5, Amazon said it plans to start delivering service to customers 'in late 2025.' The company hasn't said where Project Kuiper will be available or how much service will cost. Amazon did not immediately respond to CNET's request for comment.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Australia-owned internet company signs deal with Amazon's Kuiper for satellite internet
Australia's state-owned internet network, NBN Co , has chosen Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite service over Elon Musk 's Starlink to connect remote homes and businesses in the country. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, will provide high-speed internet to approximately 300,000 locations that are not covered by NBN's terrestrial network, Amazon announced. Starting next year, Project Kuiper's low-Earth orbit satellites will begin replacing two Australian government-owned satellites, which are scheduled for decommissioning in 2032. 'Beyond just connecting devices, we're focused on the human impact - helping small businesses reach global markets, ensuring students have the same educational resources as their city counterparts, and keeping families connected during emergencies,' said Joe Lathan, Amazon Project Kuiper , Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand. Why NBN Co chose Amazon over Musk-owned Starlink for internet satellite Despite the fact that Amazon Kuiper has not yet launched its services in Australia or anywhere else globally, NBN Co is expressing full confidence in the partnership. 'It is true that Amazon Kuiper has not launched services yet in Australia or globally, but they are reportedly pumping in about $15 billion into that programme,' news agency Reuters quoted Gavin Williams, NBN's chief development officer for regional and remote services, as saying. 'We have every confidence that we've got a partner in Kuiper that will do what they say they're going to do,' he added. NBN stated that its decision came after a 'rigorous procurement process' but did not provide specific reasons for choosing Amazon's service over Starlink. Reportedly, Starlink, which is currently the world's largest provider of such services and already has more than 250,000 customers in Australia. To date, Project Kuiper has successfully launched 78 satellites across three launches, with plans for 80+ additional rocket launches to complete the constellation. Google Pixel 10 series: Specs, Design & Features That We Know! AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Verge
6 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Amazon is bringing its Starlink alternative to Australia next year
Amazon's unproven Project Kuiper satellites will be put to work next year, supplying internet access to rural Australians. The retail giant announced an agreement with Australia's state-owned National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) on Tuesday to provide satellite internet to more than 300,000 eligible customers across the country by mid-2026. 'Australia's vast geography presents unique connectivity challenges that traditional infrastructure often can't overcome,' Joe Lathan, Project Kuiper's manager for Australia and New Zealand, said in the press release. 'This partnership with NBN Co represents our commitment to solving these challenges through innovation and collaboration.' This is the first major partnership announced for Project Kuiper, Amazon's attempt to take on SpaceX's Starlink service. While the latter already has more than 8,000 satellites in orbit, providing service to more than 100 countries, Project Kuiper is barely out of the gate by comparison, with 78 satellites launched to date. Amazon's next launch is scheduled for August 7th as it continues to build a planned constellation of 3,236 satellites. The NBN Co partnership may not be the first Project Kuiper service to launch, however. Amazon's website says it expects to begin 'delivering service to customers in late 2025,' though the company hasn't yet revealed where, or how much the service and consumer hardware will cost. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jess Weatherbed Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Amazon Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Science Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Space Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
