All articles tagged with #satellite internet
The European Commission plans a pan-EU decision to allocate the 2 GHz satellite spectrum to European operators, paving the way for direct-to-device satellite connections and effectively limiting SpaceX’s Starlink (and Amazon’s Kuiper) in Europe as part of a push for tech sovereignty and security, with potential friction from the United States as Brussels weighs defence vs. commercial needs and ties to the IRIS² program.
SpaceX disclosed its finances for the first time ahead of a potential public listing, reporting $18.7 billion in revenue for 2025 (up 33% year over year) and $4.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the profitability of its rocket-launch and satellite internet businesses as it readies for an IPO.
The article argues that space is shifting from one-off hardware bets to a networked, service-based model. With thousands of satellites and fleets like Starlink, space infrastructure now provides ongoing connectivity, Earth observation, and secure communications. Investors should focus on companies that own or operate space networks and deliver recurring revenue (not just single-component suppliers), diversify across the value chain to reduce risk, and push for clear regulatory rules to enable long-term planning as the space economy could reach trillions by 2035.
The Motley Fool argues that ahead of SpaceX’s IPO, investors should weigh Amazon’s competing satellite broadband push, now branded Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper). Amazon has launched hundreds of satellites (over 250) and struck deals with Delta, JetBlue, AT&T and Vodafone, with in-flight Wi‑Fi and Apple connectivity on the horizon. Given Amazon’s diversified, profitable business and a far larger current valuation (~$3 trillion) versus SpaceX’s high, potentially volatile IPO path (valued up to about $2 trillion), the article suggests Amazon is the safer, perhaps bigger opportunity now and to revisit SpaceX later.
AST SpaceMobile’s satellite launched on a Blue Origin booster ended up in an inoperable, too-low orbit and will be de-orbited; its cost is expected to be recovered under insurance, marking a setback to AST’s plan to deploy about 45 satellites by 2026 to offer space-based broadband amid Starlink competition, with the stock dropping about 7% in early trading.
Elon Musk’s plan to launch up to one million Starlink satellites could give him unprecedented influence over global communications and politics, as Starlink already dominates satellite launches and provides internet in remote areas and conflict zones. The piece weighs the benefits—expanded connectivity and military uses in wars like Ukraine—against risks including space debris and light pollution, plus a potential monopolistic grip that could outpace traditional providers and constrain regulators. Regulators may approve, potentially centralizing power in a private innovator and raising questions about privacy, security, and how wars are waged.
Amazon is buying Globalstar for about $11.6B to boost its low-Earth-orbit Project Leo network and gain spectrum rights for direct-to-device satellite connectivity, with Apple tying the tech to iPhone and Apple Watch features; the deal fuels Starlink competition and raises concerns about orbital congestion and data privacy, with closing expected in 2027 after regulatory reviews.
Amazon is buying Globalstar for $10.8 billion to accelerate its satellite internet program (Project Kuiper/Leo), aiming to provide voice, data and messaging from space by 2028 and linking with Apple for emergency texting, as it competes with SpaceX's Starlink.
The FCC proposes revising decades-old Equivalent Power Flux Density rules to let geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems coordinate more flexibly, enabling higher power use for NGSO like Starlink. If approved, this could boost speeds and capacity (potentially 100–700% with the same satellites) and lower costs, while imposing technical backstops to curb interference. A vote on April 30 will decide; SpaceX backs the change amid rivals’ concerns about interference and market impact.
Amazon Leo will power Delta Air Lines’ in-flight Wi‑Fi starting in 2028, initially equipping 500 aircraft with high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity via a low‑Earth‑orbit satellite network and aviation‑grade phased‑array antennas offering up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload. The service will be free for Delta SkyMiles members, and the multi‑year deal strengthens Delta’s AWS relationship by enabling Leo, AI, and other Amazon technologies to enhance the end-to-end travel experience across Delta’s global fleet.
Vietnam's government approved a SpaceX Starlink license to operate fixed and mobile satellite internet in the country, including radio frequency and equipment approvals; the move follows a trial program and comes ahead of a U.S. visit, with no launch date announced.
Blue Origin unveiled TeraWave, a plan to orbit more than 5,400 satellites to deliver global, high-speed internet tailored for data centers, businesses and governments, with potential speeds up to 6 terabits per second; the constellation would launch by end of 2027 and would still trail SpaceX's Starlink in numbers, while Amazon's Leo pursues a similar public internet goal.
Blue Origin plans TeraWave, a space-based internet network offering up to 6 terabits per second globally for uploads and downloads, targeting tens of thousands of enterprise, data center, and government customers. The multi-orbit constellation will include 5,408 satellites (including 128 in medium Earth orbit), with ground connectivity via standard wireless links and deployments slated to begin around the end of 2027; consumer access is not part of the initial plan.
Starlink experienced a brief global outage affecting around 40,000 users, but service was quickly restored. The outage impacted users in conflict zones like Ukraine and highlights the network's importance for remote connectivity. The incident occurs amid increasing competition from other satellite internet providers like OneWeb and Amazon's Project Kuiper.
Amazon's Project Kuiper has partnered with JetBlue to provide in-flight Wi-Fi starting in 2027, marking its first airline deal as it competes with SpaceX's Starlink. The service aims to offer lower latency and more reliable internet, with initial availability on select aircraft and plans for broader rollout by 2026. Amazon has launched over 100 satellites and plans to deploy thousands more to expand its satellite internet network.