Amazon eyes India as Project Kuiper constellation nears 400 satellites

Synopsis

Amazon's satellite broadband venture is expanding into India. Nearly 400 satellites are already in orbit for global connectivity. The company is accelerating satellite production and deployment efforts. India is seen as a promising market for digital transformation. Amazon aims to bring competition and connect unconnected communities.

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Amazon's satellite broadband venture is expanding into India. Nearly 400 satellites are already in orbit for global connectivity (Image is AI Generated)

Amazon's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband venture is looking to expand into India as it rapidly scales up its global constellation, with nearly 400 satellites already in orbit, a senior company executive said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the IAFI Space Policy Conference 2026, Chris Hofer, Head of International Spectrum Management and Strategy at Amazon LEO, said the company is accelerating satellite production and deployment as it works towards its goal of providing broadband connectivity to underserved and unconnected communities worldwide.

"Amazon Leo's mission and goal is to connect the unconnected and the unserved," Hofer said.

"We have almost 400 satellites up. Seems like we can't get rockets up fast enough... manufacturing well over 15 satellites a week, so we're very pleased to think (that) back in 2019 that this project...this program, was literally a piece of paper, and how far we've progressed," he said.

Hofer described India as one of the most promising markets for satellite broadband services, citing the country's digital transformation and the need to improve connectivity in underserved areas.

"...we're very well looking forward to bringing services around the world. And we certainly believe India is a great candidate, very digital-oriented administration. And of course, there are folks that are unconnected, and we believe we can bring competition in and connect those folks with the right broadband services," he said.

Amazon is among a growing number of global companies seeking to offer satellite broadband services in India, a market seen as critical for expanding internet access to remote and underserved regions where terrestrial networks remain limited. Project Kuiper, Amazon's satellite internet initiative, is competing with rivals including SpaceX's Starlink and Eutelsat OneWeb to build large LEO constellations capable of delivering high-speed internet services globally.