Amazon tests wireless network in California
E-tailer could follow in the footsteps of Google and Samsung to provide its own content delivery platform.

Amazon has experimented with wireless networks in California, signalling its intent to continue investing in new areas that will aid service delivery.
Wireless network trials were carried out near Amazon's Lab126 research facilities in Cupertino where its e-reader Kindles are designed, sources told Bloomberg.
Amazon is said to have used spectrum controlled by satellite communications specialist, Globalstar.
The e-commerce giant is thought to be interested in providing a service to allow customers of its Kindle products to connect to the internet. Amazon already has a vested interest in providing online video content through its subsidiary LoveFilm, and expanding into the wireless networking space appears to be a natural move.
Globalstart has applied for permission to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to convert its satellite spectrum and provide Wi-Fi services, and plans to lease out spectrum to companies like Amazon.
Amazon isn't the only firm experimenting with its own wireless infrastructure as content delivery becomes increasingly paramount in the digital age. Google and Samsung are also actively prepping services.
Google is set to build high-speed fibre services in 17 cities, including Austin, Texas and Kansas City. The web giant also operates a Wi-Fi network in California, and recently agreed to provide wireless connectivity to all 7,000 Starbucks stores in the US over the next 18 months.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Meanwhile, Samsung claimed to have made a breakthrough in wireless communications in May 2013.
The Korean technology giant revealed it had successfully transmitted data at speeds of up to 1.056Gbps up to a distance of 2 Kilometres using an adaptive array transceiver. Samsung plans to launch the proposed 5G service' in 2020.
-
Why keeping track of AI assistants can be a tricky business
Column Making the most of AI assistants means understanding what they can do – and what the workforce wants from them
By Stephen Pritchard
-
Nvidia braces for a $5.5 billion hit as tariffs reach the semiconductor industry
News The chipmaker says its H20 chips need a special license as its share price plummets
By Bobby Hellard
-
AWS eyes ‘flexible’ data center expansion with $11bn Georgia investment
News The hyperscaler says the infrastructure will power cloud computing and AI growth
By Nicole Kobie
-
Why employee empowerment remains the secret to your success
Advertisement Feature With recruitment costs soaring and skills in short supply, talent retention has never been more vital
By ITPro
-
Serious about sustainability?
whitepaper It’s time you looked at your data centre
By ITPro
-
AWS launches Australia's first local zone for low-latency workloads and data residency
News The company is aiming to help customers who need infrastructure closer to their data sources or end-users
By Zach Marzouk
-
AWS plans to be 'water positive' by 2030
News A number of projects will seek to improve groundwater replenishment, efficiency, and overall sustainability
By Rory Bathgate
-
Amazon signs launch deals with Arianespace, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance for Project Kuiper
News The retail giant has secured up to 83 rocket launches with the trio to deploy a bulk of its 3,262-satellite constellation
By Praharsha Anand
-
AWS to invest £1.8bn in UK data centres and other cloud infrastructure
News The cloud giant's investment will contribute to new data centres amid market growth across the country
By Connor Jones
-
Verizon and Amazon partner on enterprise connectivity solutions
News The collaboration links Verizon’s terrestrial mobile network with Amazon’s LEO satellite network
By Praharsha Anand