Rumors have surrounded DISH Network since it was unveiled in December of 2019 to be working with a “mystery partner” with many circles including Amazon as a likely candidate. Fast forward to the summer and Amazon is stepping into the 5G arena in a manner that may help themselves and others more than DISH’s ambitions.
The FCC has given the internationally known online marketplace the green light to launch more than 3,000 satellites into space as part of its Project Kuiper; its dedicated plan to create and distribute broadband throughout the world via a satellite connection. The unanimous decision by the U.S.’s authority on communication paves the way for Amazon to be a part of network solutions for billions around the globe. It will also provide a way for the conglomerate to have their hand in numerous wireless projects involving LTE and 5G from around the world.
Amazon’s goal is to provide service to remote areas such as individual homes or organizations that would otherwise be without reliable broadband due to a lack of physical connections. Many consumers, particularly in rural markets,are lacking access to wired connections such as cable or fiber due to Internet service providers not having a wire to provide the service they would need. The SVP of Amazon Dave Limp spoke on the matter saying, “We have heard so many stories lately about people who are unable to do their job or complete schoolwork because they don’t have reliable internet at home.” He continued, “There are still too many places where broadband access is unreliable or where it doesn’t exist at all. Kuiper will change that.”
Launching Project Kuiper could be a way for DISH Wireless to receive assistance from Amazon while building out its 5G network; however, it also could mean increased competition from other wireless carriers. Time will tell how Project Kuiper will help DISH Wireless achieve its 5G ambitions or if it will at all. DISH has already secured a variety of vendors to partner with and the future of how DISH works with Amazon continues to remain a mystery, albeit, more intriguing as ever. Once Amazon has launched its first 578 satellites, Project Kuiper will officially begin as it continues to release more satellites through its five-phase process.
Source: Fierce Wireless
