SAN JOSE, April 29 (Bernama-dpa) -- Amazon launched its first batch of internet satellites into space on Monday, marking the start of its effort to build a rival to Elon Musk's Starlink network, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carried 27 satellites into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The satellites are part of Amazon's Project Kuiper, which aims to deploy a constellation of about 3,200 satellites over the next few years to provide global internet coverage.
The launch followed a delay earlier this month due to bad weather.
Amazon, founded by Jeff Bezos, has secured dozens of future rocket launches with providers including SpaceX and Blue Origin to meet regulatory requirements.
Under its operating licence, the company must deploy at least 1,600 Kuiper satellites by mid-2026.
SpaceX's Starlink network already operates around 7,000 satellites and dominates the satellite internet market.
However, analysts believe there is room for competition, with airlines, telecom providers, and consumers seeking alternatives, especially in remote and underserved regions, where laying traditional infrastructure is expensive or impractical.
-- BERNAMA-dpa
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