Amazon's Project Kuiper: Revolutionizing Internet Access in Rural Australia

Project Kuiper is partnering with NBN Co, a state-owned telecommunications company in Australia, to bring low Earth orbit satellite broadband to rural Australia.

This groundbreaking deal is set to provide high-speed internet access to roughly 300,000 homes and businesses that NBN Co’s terrestrial network doesn’t reach. The agreement stands to transform internet access across regional, rural, and remote Australia, offering fast and reliable satellite internet starting from the middle of 2026.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Project Kuiper aims to provide affordable internet access to unserved and underserved communities globally. Amazon views this agreement as a significant step towards bridging the digital divide for Australians.

"We’ve designed Project Kuiper to be the most advanced satellite system ever built, and we’re combining that innovation with Amazon’s long track record of making everyday life better for customers," says Rajeev Badyal, vice president of technology at Amazon's Project Kuiper.

Advanced Satellite Technology

The project features a network of more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit, equipped with next-generation customer terminals, ground gateways, and global networking infrastructure. Amazon highlights that these satellites orbit closer to Earth to reduce latency and deliver faster internet speeds.

To date, Project Kuiper has successfully launched 78 satellites across three launches, with plans for 80+ additional rocket launches to complete the constellation. Once fully deployed, the network could reach virtually any location on the planet, including the most remote sites.

Empowering Rural Communities

For Australians in rural and remote areas, Project Kuiper could enable full participation in the digital economy, including:

• Remote work opportunities
• Distance education and online learning
• Telehealth services
• Streaming entertainment
• Reliable communications with family and friends

"Australia’s vast geography presents unique connectivity challenges that traditional infrastructure often can't overcome," explains Joe Lathan, Amazon Project Kuiper, Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand. "This partnership with NBN Co represents our commitment to solving these challenges through innovation and collaboration."

A Sovereign Infrastructure Priority

Interestingly, Project Kuiper was selected by Australia over Elon Musk’s Starlink, despite Starlink already having over 250,000 customers in Australia. This decision may indicate Australia's preference for sovereign infrastructure.

This development follows Amazon's recent announcement of a US$13 billion data centre investment in Australia to strengthen existing AWS infrastructure in the country.