| Summary: | Large “megaconstellations” comprising hundreds or even thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide global connectivity coverage have been a goal of satellite operators for decades. Within the last 5 years, these projects have become technically feasible due to advances in communications and launch technology, finally making them economically viable compared to previous satellite communications systems. These types of projects, particularly Starlink, Kuiper, OneWeb and Telesat, have been hailed as ushering in an era of broadly accessible broadband internet, unrestricted by the availability of terrestrial fiber. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of the need for broadband internet connectivity, especially as schools and universities stopped in-person learning and students in underserved areas struggled to access remote learning. Starlink’s provision of ground terminals to regions of Ukraine suffering communications problems due to the Russian invasion emphasized the significance of connectivity in providing help and support to regions in need. Even SES’ new effort at a satellite communications constellation is explicitly named “O3b” for “other three billion”, citing the global “digital divide”.
However, creating a satellite communications constellation merely overcomes the need for terrestrial fiber infrastructure to connect homes, businesses & communities that currently lie outside its reach. Developing the constellation alone cannot overcome other issues barring individuals from accessing the internet, such as affordability, low literacy rates, access to internet devices, access to reliable grid power, and a clear use case to encourage adoption. Non-consumers of internet services will not necessarily become consumers merely because a satellite constellation now covers their region.
This thesis therefore describes the process of developing a project that specifically addresses segments of non-consumption of broadband internet with a goal of generating internet use uptake in those segments. The selected segment was underserved rural Indian populations, and the project was focused on developing a concept that would generate a “pull” for internet services. This project was undertaken as part of Amazon’s Project Kuiper Business Operations during a Leaders for Global Operations internship. In service of Kuiper’s entry into India, the project focuses on using Kuiper’s ultra- compact low-cost, low-power customer terminal option to deliver 100Mbps internet; the ground receive power will limit the available data rate. If successfully taken up by the initial target user of rural Indian Self-Help Groups, of which there are 7.8 million nationwide, the project could both help improve internet connectivity in rural areas and engender goodwill from Indian regulatory bodies.
Please note that all opinions are the author’s own and not those of Amazon, Inc.
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