July 30, 2020 – The Federal Communications Commission has granted, with conditions, Kuiper Systems LLC’s application to deploy a non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) system to provide service using certain Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) and Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) Ka-band frequencies.[1]

Kuiper is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon.com Services, Inc. Following the FCC authorization, Amazon announced it will invest more than $10 billion in Project Kuiper, its initiative to build a low earth orbit satellite constellation capable of providing reliable, affordable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world.[2] To provide some perspective on Amazon’s announcement to invest more than $10 billion in Kuiper, the FCC’s 5G Fund for Rural America will distribute up to $9 billion, and the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will provide up to $20.4 billion.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper

Project Kuiper represents Amazon’s quest to close the digital divide, not just in the U.S, but around the world. Here is how Amazon describes it:

Project Kuiper will deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband service to places beyond the reach of traditional fiber or wireless networks. It is inspired by customers in every corner of the world: by families working and learning together from home; by scientists and researchers operating in remote locations; by first responders providing disaster relief; and by companies of all sizes moving their business online. Project Kuiper will serve individual households, as well as schools, hospitals, businesses and other organizations operating in places without reliable broadband.

We are also committed to working with public and private sector partners that share our vision for the project. In addition to providing ground station service directly to customers, Project Kuiper will also provide backhaul solutions for wireless carriers extending LTE and 5G service to new regions. Together, these projects will expand broadband access to more households in the United States and around the world. Project Kuiper will be designed and tested in our all-new research and development facility opening in Redmond, Washington.[3]

Kuiper’s Application & FCC Authorization

In its July 2019 application seeking FCC authorization, Kuiper proposed to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband services by operating 3,236 satellites in 98 orbital planes at altitudes of 590 km, 610 km, and 630 km. Kuiper further explained that the Kuiper system will include gateway earth stations, customer terminals, software-defined network and satellite control functionality, satellite operations centers, telemetry, tracking, and command earth stations, and other technologies. It will be capable of providing continuous coverage to customers within the contiguous U.S., Hawaii, U.S. territories, and other world regions, and hopes to “deliver satellite broadband communications services to tens of millions of unserved and underserved consumers and businesses in the United States and around the globe.”

The FCC concluded that Kuiper’s request will advance the public interest by authorizing a system designed to increase the availability of high-speed broadband service to consumers, government, and businesses.

Accordingly, Kuiper has been granted authority to deploy and operate its NGSO FSS system in the 17.7-17.8 GHz, 17.8-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, 19.3-19.7 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 27.5-28.6 GHz, 28.6-29.1 GHz, 29.1-29.5 GHz, and 29.5-30.0 GHz bands, and to provide MSS, in addition to FSS, in the 19.7-20.2 GHz and 29.5-30.0 GHz bands, and to use MSS feeder links in the 19.4-19.6 GHz and 29.1-29.5 GHz bands, subject to certain FCC conditions.

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[1] Kuiper Systems, LLC, Application for Authority to Deploy and Operate a Ka-band Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit System, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20190704-00057, Call Sign S3051, Order And Authorization, FCC 20-102 (July 30, 2020), available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-102A1.pdf.

[2] Amazon Receives FCC Approval For Project Kuiper Satellite Constellation, Company News, The Amazon Blog Day One (July 30, 2020), https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazon-receives-fcc-approval-for-project-kuiper-satellite-constellation.

[3] Id.