RETAIL GIANT Amazon wants to deliver broadband to the world through low earth orbit satellites.
According to a report in the MIT Technology review, Amazon has asked the U.S Federal Communications Commission for permission to launch 3,236 satellites, dubbed Project Kuiper, so it can connect the global masses who don’t have a broadband connection.
“The satellites will fly at 98 orbital planes, at altitudes between 366 and 391 miles (589 to 629 kilometers). They will de-orbit after 10 years to mitigate the risk of space debris, Geekwire reports. Amazon says it can start offering broadband satellite services once the first 578 satellites are in position,” says the MIT story.
Amazon would be the latest addition to a roster of companies who believe LEO is one of the keys to providing ubiquitous broadband, including Canadian companies Telesat and Kepler Communications.
