(Credit: Amazon)
Amazon’s Starlink competitor, Project Kuiper, might one day also try to power a cellular satellite service for consumer phones.
The company reported the potential plan to UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom, which was first spotted by a user on Twitter.
Ofcom recently asked private companies to share their thoughts on the direct-to-device (D2D) market, which would harness orbiting satellites to communicate with mobile phones. In response, Amazon told Ofcom that it’s "exploring options for D2D services and is seeking to develop the most versatile technical solutions for D2D offerings."
The company’s filing doesn't reveal much else but urges the UK regulator to "adopt broad and flexible rules" to develop satellite services in the region. This includes "enabling D2D services across all frequencies" meant for ground-based cellular networks.
“Doing so will ensure that sufficient spectrum is made available to accommodate the expected large numbers of end-user devices and thus meet the growing demand for D2D service," it adds.
Amazon didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Still, the Ofcom filing signals growing competition in the cellular satellite market. Starlink's "direct-to-cell" service is seeking to kick off a beta service for T-Mobile customers this year, while AST SpaceMobile is aiming to start its own beta test by December with partners AT&T and Verizon. A third company, Hughesnet’s parent EchoStar, is also preparing to spend billions to expand into cellular satellite services.
As a result, Amazon may face a crowded market if it decides to enter the D2D market. In the meantime, Project Kuiper plans on sending up its first production satellites sometime in Q4. The goal is to eventually operate 3,000+ satellites to first deliver high-speed broadband to custom-made satellite dishes before potentially expanding into the cellular satellite market.