Amazon plans nationwide broadband—with both home and mobile service

Amazon is seeking government permission to launch 3,236 broadband satellites that would cover nearly all of the US and much of the rest of the world. Amazon subsidiary Kuiper Systems filed its application with the Federal Communications Commission, saying it intends to cover all of the US except most of Alaska. Amazon's plan for a nearly global broadband system was previously revealed in filings with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It's not clear when Amazon will launch this service, but FCC rules require the launch of 50% of satellites within six years of authorization and all of them within nine years unless a waiver is granted. Even if the network covers the whole continental US, it could be most popular in areas that lack cable or fiber access. Amazon said in April that Kuiper's focus is on unserved and underserved parts of the world. "This is a long-term project that envisions serving tens of millions of people who lack basic access to broadband Internet," Amazon said at the time, adding that it intends to offer broadband service through partnerships with other companies. Amazon's satellite plan isn't solely for residential and business Internet—it's also for mobile access. In its new filings, Amazon said its network will be available to mobile operators, raising the possibility that small rural carriers could buy bandwidth from Amazon to boost coverage in areas with poor cellular access.