Verizon and Amazon have forged a strategic alliance to develop connectivity solutions for unserved and underserved communities through Project Kuiper.
Project Kuiper, an advanced satellite network from Amazon, aims to increase global broadband access via a constellation of 3,236 satellites positioned in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Among the beneficiaries of this initiative are private homes, hospitals, businesses, and organizations operating in areas with limited or no access to the internet.
Through the partnership, Project Kuiper and Verizon will develop technical specifications and define preliminary commercial models for a range of connectivity services aimed at US consumers and global businesses operating in rural and remote locations.
Furthermore, Amazon and Verizon will leverage cellular backhaul solutions from Project Kuiper to expand Verizon's data networks.
“There are billions of people without reliable broadband access, and no single company will close the digital divide on its own,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO.
“Verizon is a leader in wireless technology and infrastructure, and we’re proud to be working together to explore bringing fast, reliable broadband to the customers and communities who need it most. We look forward to partnering with companies and organizations around the world who share this commitment.”
Together, Project Kuiper and Verizon will design and deploy new connectivity solutions that will benefit a wide range of industries, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and transportation.
As partners, Amazon and Verizon have previously integrated Verizon's 5G Edge MEC platform with AWS Wavelength and formed the Voice Interoperability Initiative.
Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg said: “Project Kuiper offers flexibility and unique capabilities for a LEO satellite system, and we’re excited about the prospect of adding a complementary connectivity layer to our existing partnership with Amazon.”
“We know the future will be built on our leading 5G network, designed for mobility, fixed wireless access and real-time cloud compute. More importantly, we believe that the power of this technology must be accessible for all. Today’s announcement will help us explore ways to bridge that divide and accelerate the benefits and innovation of wireless connectivity, helping benefit our customers on both a global and local scale.”
