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Amazon’s Project Kuiper Hits 1 Gbps Milestone as Starlink Rivalry Accelerates Satellite Internet Innovation
Amazon’s Project Kuiper Hits 1 Gbps Milestone as Starlink Rivalry Accelerates Satellite Internet Innovation
Gigabit Speeds Arrive in Satellite Internet
Amazon’s Project Kuiper has flexed its technical muscle, recently demonstrating stunning download speeds exceeding 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) via its enterprise-grade customer terminal, edging the satellite internet arms race firmly into gigabit territory. Kuiper’s phased array antenna delivered 1,289 Mbps in laboratory speed tests, an achievement Amazon claims as a first for commercial low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite hardware. This milestone puts fresh pressure on SpaceX’s Starlink, which is currently pushing toward its own gigabit rollouts.
Expanding Constellations and Rapid Launch Timelines
While Starlink holds a massive head start with around 8,000 satellites already in orbit, Amazon is making rapid progress—now boasting over 100 Kuiper satellites aloft, with new launches scheduled monthly. Amazon’s deployment plan targets 3,236 satellites in multiple orbital shells, using optical inter-satellite links capable of 100 Gbps to create a robust orbital mesh network. The next heavy launch will add 27 more Kuiper satellites, increasing coverage and bandwidth.
Enterprise Integration and Customer Focus
Unlike Starlink’s all-in push for consumer and prosumer markets, Amazon is tying Kuiper closely to Amazon Web Services, targeting cloud-savvy enterprises and governments with high-throughput data connectivity. Customers can expect a three-tiered offering:
- Compact terminals for up to 100 Mbps,
- Standard terminals for up to 400 Mbps,
- Enterprise-grade hardware supporting gigabit speeds.[6]
Pricing is yet to be revealed, but Amazon hints at competitive tactics akin to its Echo and Fire TV strategies—no surprise given the company’s deep pockets and aggressive market entries.
Head-to-Head Competition Fuels Advancement
The battle between Amazon and SpaceX is rapidly redefining expectations for satellite broadband. Starlink is prepping its new $1,999 gigabit-capable dish and continues to enhance its V3 satellite network, but Amazon’s beta phase is expected to go live in late 2025 or early 2026—potentially bringing a serious challenger online for underserved regions and enterprise sectors. Analysts anticipate a shake-up in pricing and coverage models, likely benefiting consumers worldwide.
Broader Market Impact
With the possibility of a price war on the horizon and new technologies boosting both networks’ throughput, satellite internet’s next chapter may mean faster, more affordable access for millions—even in areas where fibre or terrestrial wireless remains unviable. As the two giants ramp up, business, government, and remote locations stand to gain a new level of connectivity and flexibility as LEO networks reach critical mass.