Australia’s NBN Co Chooses Amazon’s Project Kuiper Over Starlink for Remote Internet Connectivity
Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) Co has signed a major agreement with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, selecting the satellite internet startup over Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide broadband access to some 300,000 homes and businesses in remote areas.
This deal, announced Tuesday in a joint statement from NBN and Amazon, will utilise low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites from Amazon to replace Australia’s ageing government-owned satellites by 2032.
Why Amazon’s Project Kuiper Was Chosen Over Starlink
Despite Amazon Kuiper being an untested satellite network that has yet to launch global services, NBN Co expressed full confidence in the partnership.
“It is true that Amazon Kuiper has not launched services yet in Australia or globally, but they are reportedly pumping in about $15 billion into that programme,” said Gavin Williams, NBN’s chief development officer for regional and remote services.
Williams emphasised that the decision followed a rigorous procurement process, though NBN did not explain why Starlink, the world’s leading satellite internet provider, was passed over.
Starlink currently has over 250,000 customers in Australia, according to industry data, and its service is already operational in even the most remote regions.
Project Kuiper to Replace Ageing Government Satellites
Beginning next year, Amazon’s Kuiper satellites will start replacing two government-owned satellites that currently provide coverage in areas unreachable by NBN’s terrestrial infrastructure. These satellites are scheduled to be decommissioned by 2032, making the transition to next-generation services critical.
The new agreement aims to enhance broadband reliability and speeds for underserved rural and remote communities across Australia.
What This Means for Remote Internet Users in Australia
The deal could be transformative for households and small businesses in remote Australia that still suffer from poor internet access.
With Amazon’s $15 billion investment in Project Kuiper, the partnership promises:
- High-speed internet in hard-to-reach regions
- Modern, LEO satellite infrastructure with potential for global scalability
- Improved service continuity as older satellites are phased out
Although Starlink’s market dominance continues globally, this deal is seen as a strategic win for Amazon in entering the satellite internet market at scale.
Key Takeaways
- NBN Co has partnered with Amazon’s Project Kuiper to bring satellite internet to 300,000 remote Australian locations.
- The deal bypasses Elon Musk’s Starlink, which already has a significant presence in Australia.
- Amazon’s satellites will begin replacing ageing infrastructure starting in 2026, well ahead of the 2032 decommissioning schedule.
- Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
