Amazon Kuiper Eyes India: Satellite Internet Race Heats Up for 2026

Kokila Chokkanathan
Amazon's Project Kuiper is gearing up to bring satellite internet to india in 2026, but the journey is full of compliance hurdles, market competition, and regulatory demands. Here’s a deep dive into Kuiper’s india plans and how it stacks up against rivals.


1. A Late Entry in a Sky-High Race

While Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite have already received approvals to launch services in india, Kuiper is still finalising its compliance and licensing requirements.

  • The service is now targeting a 2026 launch.
  • Analysts say the delay stems from the need to build a larger satellite constellation and secure government clearances.

2. Why india Matters for Kuiper

India’s satellite internet market is projected to reach $20 billion by 2028 (KPMG).

  • Rising demand for broadband in remote areas
  • Increasing enterprise and defence communication needs
  • Scope to serve neighbouring countries via indian gateways (if approved)
For Kuiper, india represents a strategic opportunity despite the late start.


3. Licensing & Compliance: The Biggest Roadblocks

Kuiper filed its GMPCS (Global mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) licence application in october 2023 but is still awaiting approval.
Key government requirements include:

  • Data localisation – indian user data must stay within India
  • Satellite telemetry and monitoring – control centres must be within India
  • Local manufacturing – 20% indigenisation of ground equipment in five years

4. Kuiper’s Satellite Fleet – Still Playing Catch-Up

  • Current satellite count: Over 100 in orbit
  • Target: 3,200 satellites for global service coverage
  • Rivals: Starlink already has 6,700+ satellites, while OneWeb has 648
Despite being behind, Kuiper plans to accelerate launches through 2025 to meet operational requirements.


5. Tapping Amazon’s Global Ecosystem

One of Kuiper’s biggest advantages is Amazon’s existing ecosystem:

  • AWS could drive enterprise adoption of Kuiper’s services.
  • Amazon.com could integrate Kuiper internet bundles with e-commerce offerings.
  • Early global deals with DIRECTV (South America) and Australia’s NBN hint at B2B focus.

6. india Operations – Small Team, Big Plans

Kuiper currently has a lean india team focused on:

  • Regulatory compliance
  • Business development
  • Hiring key roles like Regulatory Lead for india & Middle east and Ground Infrastructure business Developer.
Local operations are expected to scale as approvals near completion.


7. Can indian Gateways Serve Other Countries?

Kuiper and peers have requested permission to serve Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka via indian gateways.

  • Government is considering the proposal but has not approved cross-data-border service yet.
  • Security concerns remain a major factor in finalising policy.

8. The Compliance Puzzle: Security First

DoT's May 2025 guidelines tighten security for satellite internet providers.
Requirements include:

  • Network control centres in India
  • Lawful interception of data traffic
  • Strict approval for ground stations
  • Yearly localisation progress reports

9. Kuiper’s Big Question: Can It Catch Up?

With a 2026 launch window, Kuiper data-faces intense competition from Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio. But its Amazon ecosystem leverage, global contracts, and long-term investment of $10 billion could help it grab a slice of India’s booming satcom market.


Final Take

India’s satellite internet revolution is accelerating, and Kuiper is racing to join the party.

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