According to Amazon, Ireland will be one of the first countries in Europe to utilise Project Kuiper’s general service.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD was today (6 October) joined by members of Amazon’s Project Kuiper and the National Space Centre (NSC) to mark the regulatory approval of a satellite Earth station that will allow Project Kuiper to operate a gateway at the Elfordstown facility in Midleton, Cork. 

Project Kuiper is a satellite communications network that aims to bring fast, reliable internet connectivity to communities worldwide. The Cork-based gateway is one of hundreds being installed globally. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) will allow operations within the 18GHz and 28GHz frequency bands, enabling the delivery of Project Kuiper’s satellite broadband services to Ireland. 

Later this year the project will be available to select Government and business customers as part of a commercial beta, with plans for a wider roll-out next year as the network improves coverage and capacity. Ireland will be among the first countries in Europe to receive general service. 

Project Kuiper will deploy more than 3,200 satellites in low-Earth orbit, connected to each other by high-speed optical links, creating a mesh network in space linked to a global network of antennas, fibre and internet connection points on the ground, including the Midleton gateway. So far, there are currently 129 satellites in orbit after five successful launches.

Commenting on the news, Alison Dunn, the Ireland country manager at Amazon said: “It’s never been more important for people to have access to high-speed, low-latency internet and Project Kuiper will play an important role in connecting those beyond the reach of existing networks. 

“We’re proud to do our part to help connect customers and communities across the country and thankful for the support of ComReg, the Irish Government and our partners at the National Space Centre in making this possible.”

The announcement comes during Ireland’s Space Week, which runs from 4 October to 10 October. In recent years, Ireland has made significant efforts to advance its space infrastructure and communities and this year, as part of the festivities, there are more than two dozen events and workshops taking place under the theme, ‘Living in Space’. 

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