Billions of people around the world are connected to the Internet, but at the same time, there are billions that are still not connected, especially those who live in rural and distant regions.
To fill this gap, Starlink de Spacex, the Amazon Kuiper and Guowang project in China are all competing to provide high speed internet via satellite constellations in low -land orbit (Leo) to billions of people who cannot still connect easily.
Since its first launch in 2019, SpaceX has redefined the meaning of internet access by satellite. To date, the Starlink constellation exceeds 7,000 satellites, with plans to reach 42,000 by 2030.
Starlink, which offers speeds of up to 220 Mbps, serves more than four million subscribers in more than 100 countries so far. From rural communities in America to war areas like Ukraine, people can connect to Starlink where they have no other option for Internet access.
Starlink uses inter-satellite connectivity based on laser to improve data transfer efficiency, reducing dependence on ground networks and facilitating access to users.
Amazon Kuiper's project, named after the Kuiper belt, is a new player in the Leo satellite field, aimed at soon deploying 3,236 satellites. Currently, the Kuiper project is expected to send its first full batch of satellites in space on April 28.
In competition with Starlink, the inter-satellite optical technology of Kuiper (OOISL) promises transmission speeds competing with land fibers, with test
The results showing up to 400 Mbps.
Starlink's laser links and Kuiper's OOISL technology create mesh networks in space, allowing faster data routing without several ground stations.
According to Amazon, its satellite system “will include more than 3,200 satellites advanced in terrestrial orbit with low land, and we have obtained more than 80 launches to deploy this initial constellation, each adding dozens of satellites to the network.”
Amazon has invested about $ 10 billion in the project, and its new facilities in Washington and Florida highlight its commitment. However, with only orbit prototypes, Kuiper continues to delay in Starlink. His next satellite launch will determine the success of Kuiper and if he can penetrate emerging markets.
The ambitions of the Chinese satellite internet on Guowang, a state project by China Satnet, and Qianfan, led by Spaces Wail, based in Shanghai. Guowang provides for a constellation of nearly 13,000 satellites, while Qianfan targets 15,000 by 2030, from 648 in 2025.
As with many of its projects, such as its Belt & Road initiative (BRI) in Asia, Africa and Europe, China also aims to challenge Western domination in space.
With 18 satellites launched in 2024, Qianfan has now concluded agreements in Brazil and Kazakhstan and hopes to negotiate more transactions in other countries.
Qianfan and Guowang aim to reduce dependence on Western infrastructure, China judges Western power a threat to its national security, especially in potential conflicts such as Taiwan. Naturally, Western countries are concerned about Qianfan's expansion, as this also represents a threat of security for Western countries, in particular with regard to data security, intelligence and surveillance.
Starlink's advantage is the first, as well as his ability to launch, make it the favorite, but Kuiper's financial support and the support of Guowang's state could give them the boost they need to exceed Starlink.
With 4 billion people without reliable internet, the Leo constellations promise to connect distant regions where fibers and 5G are not practical. Starlink's impact in rural Thailand and Ukraine demonstrates this potential, for example, while Kuiper and Guowang work to target similar non -connected markets. However, high costs of equipment and subscription costs remain an obstacle and, for a close future at least, will limit accessibility in developing economies.
If the goal is to connect poorly served communities, these companies will have to find a way to reduce costs. If they succeed, we can expect to see a globe completely connected in our life – an incredible achievement for humanity.
