Amazon unveiled a set of terminals for customers that connect to its broadband satellite network, Project Kuiper.
The American company, a pioneer in the field of e-commerce, said in a post on its blog that the designs of the new terminals are “smaller, lower in price, and more capable” than competitors, such as the terminals provided by the company (Starlink) of a billionaire (Elon Musk).
It is reported that the company’s first device is the standard terminal from (Project Kuiper), whose design Amazon revealed in mid-December 2020.
It measures just under 11 square inches and is one inch thick. The terminal weighs about 2kg (not counting the mounting bracket) and is capable of providing speeds of up to 400Mbps. Amazon says it expects to produce the terminal for less than $400.
Amazon also provides a small terminal weighing approximately 450 g, and an area of no more than 7 inches. The company says this device is its “minimal and affordable” terminal and is capable of speeds of up to 100Mbps, making it ideal for anyone who needs a low-cost Internet option.
Amazon also provided a commercial terminal for large corporations or government organizations. It is the largest and most powerful of the three terminals, measuring 19 inches long by 30 inches wide, and offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
The three terminals come equipped with Amazon’s own chip called Prometheus. According to Amazon, the chip combines the processing capabilities of 5G modem chips found in modern smartphones, the ability of cellular base stations to handle traffic from thousands of customers simultaneously, and the ability of microwave delivery antennas to support robust point-to-point connectivity.
It is noteworthy that (Project Kuiper) is an initiative by Amazon to connect people to the Internet around the world using a constellation of satellites that orbit the Earth at a low level.
Amazon expects to launch the first round of satellites during the first half of 2024, and then operate the service for the first customers later in 2024. It is not clear where (Project Kuiper) will provide the Internet first, and how much it will cost customers.
“Our goal with Project Kuiper is not only to connect underserved and underserved communities, but also to delight them with the quality, reliability and value of their services,” Rajeev Badial, vice president of technology at Project Kuiper, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the first two satellite models are scheduled to be launched next May.
