If you’re still holding your breath for a local launch of Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation for space-based internet, maybe it’s time you breathed out and started holding your breath for Project Kuiper instead.
It’s been a while since there was any meaningful local news regarding Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite internet initiative – until now.
A recent ITWeb report claims that Jeff Bezos’ competition to Elon Musk’s Starlink is one step closer to launching in South Africa through its partnership with Vodafone in Europe, and Vodacom locally.
Project Kuiper beams internet from space
Back in September 2023, Kuiper Systems and Vodafone announced their partnership that would see the network operator using Project Kuiper’s eventual constellation of 3,232 satellites to supplement its signal gaps.
A month later, Project Kuiper launched its first test satellites into orbit. Nothing disastrous happened there so it started preparing for a wider rollout. The small issue is that Project Kuiper only expects to begin deploying its satellite constellation this year, talk about playing catchup.
“Vodacom and Vodafone remain committed in their ambition to potentially use Amazon’s Project Kuiper to extend the reach of their network coverage in Africa and Europe, respectively,” says Byron Kennedy, a Vodacom spokesperson speaking with ITWeb.
Slightly different to the proposed setup Starlink offers, the deal between Project Kuiper and Vodacom will see the latter use the former’s satellites as a kind of orbiting cell tower to which smartphones (and similarly capable devices) will connect. Project Kuiper will also, eventually, offer fixed-point customer terminals but it is still unclear if that will be available through its partnership with Vodacom.
This of course still hinges on the parties receiving regulatory approval from ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa). It’s possible that its partnership with Vodacom could help Project Kuiper beat its major rival to a South African launch, but it’s also possible it too gets stuck in regulator limbo.
