Amazon's LEO entry fuels consolidation speculation amid competition concerns

摘要

The implications for consolidation among LEO broadband providers and questions about increased telco compe tition, regulations and even purpose are brimming amid Amazon's (NASDAQ:AMZN) 3,236-satellite constellation announcement. Flexing its considerable financial muscle, the internet retailing giants Project Kuiper is almost certain to have an impact on others developing constellations to provide internet connectivity. Close to 20 organisations worldwide have said they are preparing smallsat swarms in LEO for broadband, with a few already operating large birds in the orbit. The US regulatory agency FCC has said it has received applications that would entail around 20,000 smallsats. The agency was unable to comment before this report was published. The next three years could prove "pivotal" for satel lite-based providers of broadband connectivity, Satellite Industry Association president Tom Stroup said in an interview. It is likely that some of them could reckon that a merger with others is viable.