Page 99 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

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Second Successful Launch for Amazon’s Project Kuiper

Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite initiative has been making
headway both in terms of launches and regulatory approvals in
recent weeks. Launch services specialist United Launch Alliance
(ULA) reports that a ULA Atlas V rocket carrying the Kuiper 2
mission for Amazon’s Project Kuiper lifted off from Space Launch
Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the US.
This mission delivers the second batch of operational broadband
satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation, marking the
next step in what ULA calls an initiative to provide fast, reliable
internet to customers around the world, including those in
unserved and underserved communities. There are six remaining
Kuiper missions on the Atlas V rocket, building up to 38 high-
cadence, rapid fire launches on the next-generation Vulcan rocket.
ULA will deliver more than half of the Project Kuiper constellation’s
3,200 satellites, through the world’s largest commercial launch
agreement. This hasn’t been the only good news for Amazon
recently. Brazilian regulator Anatel has earlier published a series
of satellite-related decisions including the extension of the
deadline for the start of operation of Amazon's Kuiper system,
and authorisations for Amazon to carry out temporary tests in
the country in two towns: Cosmopolis in the southeast and Gloria
de Dourados in the midwest. Rival service Starlink is, of course, of a 10-year operating license by the Lesotho Communications
already up and running in a number of countries. Lesotho recently Authority (LCA). In the past few days, meanwhile, Ukrainian mobile
become the latest African nation (the number now exceeds 20) operator Kyivstar has reportedly secured regulatory approval to
to welcome the satellite internet service, following the approval begin testing Starlink’s direct-to-cell (D2C) services.

SES, Intelsat $3.1B Deal to Win Unconditional EU Approval

Satellite company SES reportedly stands to gain unconditional for a more in-depth phase two investigation. Reuters stated the
European Union (EU) antitrust approval for its $3.1 billion deal EU is ramping up its drive for strategic autonomy in the satellite
to buy rival Intelsat, a move that would create a large rival for sector to reduce reliance on Starlink’s broadband service. SES is
Elon Musk-owned Starlink. Citing unnamed sources, Reuters among a consortium of satellite companies to strike a deal last
reported the merger will win the EU’s approval, but noted its year with the European Commission and European Space Agency
regulatory agency, the European Commission, is scheduled to to develop the IRIS2 constellation under a 12-year contract. The
publish a ruling by 10 June. The deal announced last year won merger of Intelsat and SES will give the combined company a
unconditional clearance from the UKs Competition and Markets fleet of more than 100 Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 26
Authority (CMA) on 29 May but is still being reviewed by the US Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites compared to Starlink’s 5,800
Federal Communications Commission and the US Department birds, according to Reuters. Bloomberg reported rival Eutelsat is
of Justice, according to the news agency. After a phase one speaking with investors to raise €1.5 billion to expand its low Earth
review, the CMA found that the deal does not raise substantial orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The French government and UK
competition concerns in the UK market, which ruled out a need government are among the potential investors.

Starlink Begins Services in Sri Lanka

Starlink has launched its internet service in Sri Lanka, the company Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, also signed pacts with SpaceX to
chief Elon Musk confirmed. "Starlink now available in Sri Lanka!," bring Starlink internet services to the country. Starlink, a division of
Musk said on X. Sri Lanka has become the second nation in South US billionaire Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, has rapidly expanded
Asia to get Starlink service. Earlier, the company launched its its global presence, now operating in more than 125 countries and
services in Bangladesh last month. In March this year, Pakistan territories. The company provides internet connectivity in remote
also granted a temporary No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Starlink or underserved areas using a constellation of low-Earth orbit
to operate in Pakistan. Earlier this year, two Indian telecom giants, satellites.
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