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August 5, 2025 — Canberra
Amazon’s satellite internet initiative, Project Kuiper, has won a landmark contract with Australia’s government-owned broadband provider, NBN Co, to deliver high-speed satellite broadband to regional, rural, and remote communities. The decision marks a significant strategic win over Elon Musk’s Starlink, which had also been in contention for the deal.
📡 Contract Overview
Under the agreement, Project Kuiper will provide wholesale residential-grade fixed broadband services via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to more than 300,000 premises currently served by NBN Co’s ageing geostationary Sky Muster satellites. The service is expected to launch in mid-2026, with a phased transition from Sky Muster continuing through the decade.
🚀 Technology and Deployment
Project Kuiper’s network will eventually comprise 3,200 LEO satellites, orbiting approximately 500 km above Earth, offering low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity. As of August 2025, Amazon has successfully launched 78 satellites, with another 24 scheduled for deployment no earlier than August 7.
In contrast, Starlink currently operates over 8,000 satellites and serves around 200,000 customers in Australia. Despite its established presence and superior latency performance in recent speed tests, Starlink was edged out due to regulatory, strategic, and cost considerations.
🗣️ Stakeholder Reactions
Ellie Sweeney, CEO of NBN Co, described the partnership as a “major leap forward” for underserved communities:
“Australians deserve fast, effective broadband regardless of geography. By upgrading to next-generation LEO satellite broadband powered by Project Kuiper, we’re bringing the best available technology to Aussies in the bush”.
Amazon’s Vice President of Technology for Project Kuiper, Rajeev Badyal, added:
“We’re proud to work with NBN to bring Kuiper to more customers and communities across Australia, creating new opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people in rural and remote areas”.
🔍 Transition and Future Outlook
NBN Co will begin consultations with Retail Service Providers (RSPs), regional stakeholders, and communities to determine speed tiers, wholesale pricing, and installation logistics. The Sky Muster satellites will remain operational until at least 2032, ensuring continuity during the transition.
This partnership positions Amazon as a key player in Australia’s digital infrastructure landscape and underscores the growing competition in global satellite broadband markets. The deal also reflects NBN Co’s commitment to future-proofing its network and bridging the digital divide across Australia.
Amazon-Campus-Seattle-Washington-Picture-by-Steven-Vance
