Amazon has won a major contract with NBN Co to deliver high-speed internet services to parts of rural and regional Australia using its growing network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
NBN Co revealed the deal with Amazon’s Project Kuiper subsidiary on Tuesday, ending speculation over a months long competitive process that pitted the company against Elon Musk’s Starlink.
It comes as Starlink’s market share in Australia continues to grow, often at the expense of NBN Co’s ageing geostationary satellite Sky Muster, stoking sovereignty fears among policy makers.

Starlink, which blitzed Sky Muster in terms of latency in internet speed tests earlier this year, reportedly has around 200,000 customers in Australia.
Under the new agreement for an undisclosed value, NBN Co will offer the more than 300,000 premises currently served by Sky Muster a LEO satellite internet connection when Project Kuiper launches mid-next year.
Amazon has already secured local regulatory approval for the US$10 billion constellation, which will eventually consist of 3,325 LEO satellites that will orbit 500km above the Earth’s surface.
The company began deploying the first satellites using rockets operated by United Launch Alliance earlier this year, and now has 78 satellites in orbit.
NBN Co chief executive Ellie Sweeney described the Amazon agreement as a “major leap forward” for regional and rural customers, and said it would ensure the nbn network is “future-ready”.
“Australians deserve to have access to fast, effective broadband regardless of whether they live in a major city, on the outskirts of a country town or miles from their nearest neighbour. That’s what [the] nbn was set up to deliver,” she said.
“By upgrading to next generation LEO satellite broadband powered by Project Kuiper, we are working to bring the best available technology to Aussies in the bush.
Ms Sweeney said that while Project Kuiper will eventually replace Sky Muster, NBN Co would ensure “continuity of service and make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible”.
Both existing Sky Muster satellites, which are owned and operated by Optus, will remain “viable” until at least 2032. NBN Co said it is currently exploring its options for the satellites once Project Kuiper is operational.
Rajeev Badyal, vice president of technology at Project Kuiper, welcomed the partnership, which will deliver Amazon’s most advanced satellite technology to the regions.
“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,” he said
“We’re proud to be working with nbn to bring Kuiper to even more customers and communities across Australia and look forward to creating new opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people in rural and remote parts of the country.”
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