Amazon is the biggest eCommerce retail shop that caters to anyone in the world and has brought its own brand of tech devices to everyone, including the infamous AI assistant Alexa.
But it seems like Amazon is not stopping--they are now venturing into the home internet services industry and is set to release low orbit satellites in order to provide users with a high-speed internet connection.
Amazon's Home Internet Service
According to Cord Cutters News, the project is developed by Amazon's subsidiary, Kuiper Systems, which is headed by former SpaceX vice president, Rajeev Badyal.
The project has been a long time coming, but it was only this summer when Amazon asked permission from the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC), after filing an application for a six-month Special Temporary Authority (STA) to start testing their services.
Based on a report by FierceWireless, the company were conducting their tests in Sunnyvale California and will be happening from August 2019 until February 2020.
Internet for Everyone
Amazon is planning to launch over 3,200 satellites into space.
Since the company is working on sending low Earth orbit satellites to provide an internet connection, the coverage will be wider than normal.
Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos, has talked about the goal of their internet service, and have previously said that the aim is to provide their services to anyone, anywhere in the world.
"By definition, you end up accessing people who are 'under-bandwidthed.' Very rural areas, remote areas," Bezos said back in June, which means even isolated areas can gain access to high-speed internet once it kicks off.
With that, the company would have to launch over 3,200 satellites into space, and letting them settle at an altitude of 367 miles, 379 miles, and then 391 miles, which apparently should be enough to cover up to 95% of the world's population.
Why LEO Satellites?
Amazon is not the only company looking to provide high-speed internet through low-orbit satellites, as SpaceX has also started launching their Starlink satellites into space earlier this year, and will continue to do so.
Nonetheless, why choose LEO satellites?
According to The Next Web, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites orbit close to Earth at an altitude of 99 miles to 1200 miles, which means transferring information takes less time compared to geostationary satellites that are 22,000 miles up in space.
The use of LEO satellites could also help lessen down the monthly prices for home internet services.
How Much will it Cost?
Speaking of which, how much is the Amazon home internet service?
The project is still in its early stages, especially since it hasn't even finished conducting their tests.
Therefore, it is still unclear how much the monthly costs for Amazon home internet service will be--or any similar services for that matter, although it could be much less than the traditional GEO satellite services cost.
ALSO READ: Amazon's 12 Days of Deals: Find Out Discounted Gadgets and Devices!
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
While speaking of something cheaper, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is also discounted on Amazon right now, with 20% off of its original, so it's the best time to get your hands on them.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is now discounted in Amazon.
It has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, plus it also comes with 8th gen Intel Core processor and is ultra slim. It's one of the best hybrid laptop/tablet that you can get that packs a powerful performance with an all-day battery life.
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