Bringing broadband to remote, rural and underserved areas is no easy or cheap feat. Fiber networks are expensive to build out, and cable internet coverage is actually decreasing. Although 5G home internet is growing in availability and popularity, its speeds and reliability are at the mercy of tower proximity and network congestion.
Satellite internet has poised itself as a viable solution to rural broadband woes, but not the single-satellite, geostationary services from Hughesnet and Viasat, which have been around for years with minimal improvements. Instead: an entire constellation of high-tech, low-orbiting satellites.
Starlink has shown that, in numbers — specifically, over 7,000 — low Earth orbit, or LEO, satellites can deliver widespread broadband availability while lowering latency, increasing speed potential and eliminating restrictive data caps of traditional satellite internet.
The challenge of getting such an ambitious project off the ground requires endless approvals and expert teams working together. In July 2020, Amazon received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to deploy and operate Project Kuiper (pronounced ki — as in kite — per) satellites.
Since then, the tech and e-commerce giant has been busy building its broadband business, but there’s still a way to go before it’s ready for home use. Here’s what to know about Project Kuiper as of March 2025.
What is Project Kuiper?
Project Kuiper is Amazon’s initiative to increase broadband availability worldwide by deploying thousands of low-orbiting satellites that send and receive internet signals worldwide. The service is designed for residential and commercial applications, offering a high-speed connection for use in homes, businesses, government agencies, and other institutions, particularly those in underserved areas.
Amazon has made an effort to emphasize Project Kuiper as “affordable broadband.” Though we’re not sure what the monthly or up-front costs will be, expect it to be competitively priced compared to Starlink.
In addition to thousands of advanced LEO satellites, approximately 6,000 orbiting somewhere between 367 to 391 miles high, Project Kuiper will leverage a network of ground-based antennas, fiber connections and customer terminals to deliver service.
