Project Kuiper: Amazon Seeks US Approval to Deploy 4,500 Additional Satellites for Internet Project

Amazon.com has applied to the US Federal Communications Commission for authorization to launch more than 4,500 satellites as part of its aim to offer high-speed Internet to areas across the world where it is now inaccessible. Amazon had indicated that its Project Kuiper program will cost at least $10 billion and would result in the creation of 3,236 satellites.

Late Thursday, it requested authorization from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch 7,774 satellites as part of the scheme. On Monday, Amazon filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch and operate two prototype satellites by the end of 2022. The satellites will "service families, hospitals, companies, government agencies, and other organizations across the world, especially in geographic areas where dependable broadband is absent," according to Amazon's application. "Although worldwide connection has increased, just 51% of the global population and 44% of the population of developing nations are online," according to the corporate filing.