The Companies Leading the Way in the Next-Gen Satellite Internet

Author: Khushi Chhillar

Published: June 26, 2025

Part 2 of 5: Space Internet Series

The ongoing race to control space-based internet infrastructure represents one of the most ambitious and capital-intensive technological contests of the modern age. With a global market at stake, leading technology firms, established aerospace companies, and a new wave of disruptors are launching thousands of satellites to seize a share of the emerging orbital internet.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper

Ambitious Scale


Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to deploy 3,236 LEO satellites to dramatically expand global broadband access. The first batch of 27 operational satellites was successfully launched in April 2025, following earlier test missions.

Regulatory Timeline

Amazon’s FCC license mandates that half of the Kuiper constellation is operational by July 2026, driving an aggressive deployment schedule with thousands more satellites planned by 2029.

Launch Strategy

Amazon’s strategy includes the largest commercial satellite launch contract ever—92 launches secured with United Launch Alliance, ArianeGroup, and Blue Origin, paving the way for rapid build-out.

Unique Positioning

Amazon combines its strengths in cloud (AWS), logistics, and funding with ecosystem integration, potentially connecting Kuiper’s service to Alexa, Prime, and other Amazon offerings. The Project Kuiper satellites use advanced optical inter-satellite links for low-latency, global coverage and can provide cellular backhaul to remote towers.

How Industry Leaders Are Fighting Back?

OneWeb

Eutelsat’s OneWeb has rebounded from bankruptcy and now operates over 650 LEO satellites as of April 2025. It targets enterprise and government clients, with Gen 2 satellites and plans for global 5G integration expected soon, including in India in partnership with Bharti Airtel.

Traditional Satellite Giants

  • Viasat: Focuses on high-throughput GEO satellites and advanced network capabilities over large clusters.

  • Hughes Network Systems (HughesNet): Continues upgrading its GEO infrastructure to remain relevant as LEO threatens market share.

The Innovation Disruptors

AST SpaceMobile: The Direct-to-Device Pioneer

AST SpaceMobile is deploying the BlueBird satellite fleet to directly connect standard mobile phones to space-based cellular networks, aiming for global broadband without changes to user devices.

Lynk Global: The 5G Space Pioneer

Lynk Global has demonstrated the world’s first 5G base station in space, connecting to standard smartphones in regions with no terrestrial coverage, and holds the world’s first FCC commercial license for direct-to-phone service in over fifty countries.

Regional and National Players

  • China: Multiple state-owned entities are working on proprietary LEO constellations.

  • European Union: The IRIS² project (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite) sets out a €10.6 billion plan for pan-European secure satellite internet, targeting over 290 satellites operational by 2030.

  • India: Bharti Airtel, in partnership with OneWeb, is building indigenous LEO internet capabilities.

The Investment Landscape

  • Venture Capital/Private Equity: Massive funding rounds for innovative LEO startups and direct-to-device disruptors as they build technology and global ground networks.

  • Government Investment: State-backed constellations and subsidies are making satellite broadband a geopolitical priority.

  • Stock Market: Satellite internet announcements influence stock values; partnerships and deployment milestones are closely watched.

Strategic Differentiation: How Companies Compete

  • Technology: Mass manufacturing, optical inter-satellite links, advanced beamforming, edge computing, and global ground infrastructure.

  • Market: Consumer broadband (Starlink, Kuiper), enterprise/government (OneWeb, Viasat), emergency communications, and military-grade secure networks.

  • Geographic: Global (Starlink, Kuiper), regional (OneWeb, IRIS²), and focus on digital inclusion in developing areas.

  • Hybrid Partnerships: Integrating with terrestrial telcos, cloud providers (AWS, Azure), and device manufacturers for seamless satellite-to-ground service.

Who’s Winning the Competition?

  • Starlink: Market leader, global footprint, direct-to-cell, robust telco partnerships.

  • Amazon Kuiper: Accelerating deployment, deep integration with Amazon’s cloud and logistics, and large-scale launch capacity.

  • OneWeb: Strong enterprise and regional presence; preparing next-gen rollouts.

  • Asian, European, and government-backed constellations: Increasing in share via public investment and regional focus.

The Stakes: Why This Matters

This new layer of digital infrastructure will determine:

  • Who controls global connectivity and market access

  • The pace of digital inclusion in remote and developing areas

  • Strategic and national security for governments worldwide

  • The foundation for autonomous vehicles, next-gen IoT, emergency services, and the future global economy

Looking Ahead

Key markers to follow over the coming year:

  • Amazon’s timeline to meet regulatory milestones and partnership expansions with global telcos

  • SpaceX’s expansion of real-time direct-to-cell services

  • Further rollouts by OneWeb and Gen 2 satellites—especially in Asia and Africa

  • Technology improvements, such as optical mesh networking and reduced-cost terminals

  • Growing role of direct-to-device providers like AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global in developing markets

  • IRIS² implementation for sovereign European coverage

Next in the Series: A deep dive into how space-based internet stacks up against terrestrial and fiber networks.

References