I imagine you landed here because you are interested in satellite internet capabilities but find yourself confused trying to distinguish new mega-constellation ventures like Amazon‘s "Project Kuiper" from long-standing satellite ISPs such as Viasat.
That confusion is understandable. The satellite internet marketplace is undergoing a dramatic transformation akin to the space race unfolding above our heads in Earth‘s orbit. As an industry analyst who has tracked satellite internet for over a decade, I will use this article as an opportunity to provide you – my reader – with an expert-level overview explaining this shifting landscape.
My goal is to arm you with everything you need to know about the present and future of satellite internet, culminating in a side-by-side comparison between the two contenders of Kuiper and Viasat. So without further preamble, let‘s get to orbiting!
The Basics: A Satellite Internet 101
First, what exactly is satellite internet? Simply put, it is broadband internet access – meaning speeds fast enough for applications like streaming media or videoconferencing – delivered through a network of satellites circulating the earth rather than underground fiber or cable infrastructure.
The great benefit of satellite is that it can blanket very wide areas, making it ideal for rural spaces unreachable by ground-based internet. Early satellite internet operated on large satellites parked in a fixed position almost 25,000 miles overhead in what is known as geosynchronous orbit. At this extreme distance, latency became crippling, equivalent to old dial-up connections.
But now newer and smaller satellites only a few hundred miles overhead promise latency rivaling cable and 5G. This is what makes emerging options like Kuiper so exciting!
Introducing Project Kuiper – Amazon‘s Vision for Global Satellite Connectivity
In 2019, Amazon pulled the curtain back on their ambitious plans for "Project Kuiper", a proposed constellation of 3,236 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites designed to provide high-speed internet access to individual households and businesses globally.
The genius behind Amazon‘s approach is employing a layered network with satellites spread across three different orbital heights – 366 miles, 376 miles, and 386 miles respectively. This creates overlapping coverage so that subscribers will seamlessly hand-off connections between satellites without dropping their signal.
Based on testing thus far on prototypes, Amazon intends for Kuiper satellites to transmit 400 megabits per second, comparable to top-tier 5G and cable internet packages. Just as impressively, latency clocks in at an estimated range of 20-40ms which enables lag-free real-time experiences.
To put it simply, if Kuiper manages to execute their proposed capabilities at scale it would utterly revolutionize residential satellite broadband. Companies like Viasat have pushed satellite to rival average terrestrial internet speeds. But nothing in space thus far comes anywhere close to the speed, latency, and infrastructure depth Kuiper outlines on paper.
The catch? Amazon has yet to even launch an actual production Kuiper satellite! But after recently securing FCC approval, they now plan to launch their first two beta satellites late this year. Commercial service availability is then loosely slated for late 2023.
Project Kuiper Key Stats
- Proposed satellites: 3,236 total
- Orbital shells: 366 mi, 376 mi, and 386 mi altitude
- Expected speed: 400 Mbps down
- Expected latency: 20-40ms
- Timeline: 2 prototype satellites to launch in late 2022, commercial service starting late 2023
Now that you understand the basics of Kuiper and their place disrupting the overall satellite internet landscape, how do they compare feature-by-feature against the mature company Viasat which focuses specifically on satellite connectivity?
Overview of Viasat – An Established Residential Satellite Internet Provider
Transitioning to a profile on our second company, Viasat, in business for over 35 years, represents one of the most prominent legacy satellite internet providers in North and South America. The company currently relies upon a fleet of three ViaSat series satellites parked approximately 22,000 miles overhead to serve over 1.3 million subscribers on the ground.
Viasat‘s satellites each possess impressive capacity – their latest boasts throughput of nearly 300 Gigabits per second! This powers Viasat‘s flagship residential service tier which offers 100 Megabits per second download speeds with unlimited data. While fast enough for applications like 4K streaming, latency is substantially higher averaging 600ms+ due to the greater distances involved at geosynchronous heights.
In addition to direct residential subscriptions, Viasat partners with airlines to provide in-flight WiFi to more than 2,200 commercial aircraft internationally. The company also recently inked bandwidth deals to extend coverage for partner residential ISPs into Brazil and elsewhere abroad.
Within the next two years, Viasat intends to solidify its market lead and global footprint by launching their super-powered next generation ViaSat-3 satellite constellation. But even as an established player, Viasat faces immense competition from incoming LEO satellite ventures – with Amazon‘s Kuiper chief among them.
Viasat Key Stats
- Existing satellites: 3 ViaSat series satellites
- Orbital height: 22,000 miles geosynchronous
- Max speeds: 100 Mbps down
- Average latency: 600ms+
- Existing subscribers: 1.3 million+
- Additional markets served: In-flight WiFi, international partner ISPs
Kuiper vs. Viasat: How Do They Compare Across Key Metrics?
Now that you‘re acquainted with both Kuiper and Viasat independently, let‘s scrutinize how these internet access innovators stack up to one another by running through some major factors tech-savvy readers may wish to see contrasted.
I‘ll also offer my expert analyst verdict on the takeaways regarding strengths, limitations, and areas of differentiation for each provider.
| Metric | Kuiper | Viasat | Advantage? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Timeline | 2023 (Expected) | Existing Service | Viasat |
| Satellite # | 3,236+ planned | 3 satellites (7 by 2025) | Kuiper |
| Orbital Height | 366mi – 386mi | 22,000mi geosynchronous | Kuiper |
| Download Speeds | 400Mbps (Expected w/prototype) | 100Mbps max | TBD |
| Latency | 20ms – 40ms | 600ms+ average | Kuiper |
| Global Reach | 57 ̊ inclination (polar coverage) | Americas / Specific Partners | Depends on Needs |
| User Market | Mass-Market Consumer + Enterprise | Mostly Rural Residential | Both |
Analysis:
Clearly Kuiper pursues maximizing capability to outmatch even premium terrestrial broadband. But until actual satellites launch, boasts remain theoretical. Still, if achieved, their low latency and 400+ Mbps speeds would decisively best Viasat.
Conversely, Viasat lacks flashy stats but offers proven reliability after years serving 1.3 million+ subscribers. Unique global roaming via airline and maritime broadband partners is also compelling for frequent travellers.
Both show merits depending on consumer priorities. Kuiper seems focused on affordability in suburban areas often overlooked for broadband infrastructure upgrades. Yet CEO Abel Avellan suggested Viasat is shifting more premium targeting enterprise verticals like in-flight connectivity. This hints the two may strategically avoid excessive competition.
Ultimately those in extremely rural areas lacking any broadband access have reason to celebrate this new space race: rapidly improving choice between satellite ventures poised to achieve performance unheard of just five years ago!
The Bottom Line: Kuiper Promises a Leap Ahead, But VIasat‘s Flight Heritage Still Commands Respect
In closing, when sized up next to early market trailblazers like Viasat, Amazon‘s Kuiper represents the vanguard pushing satellite internet to unprecedented heights in speed, latency and worldwide reach. Yet VIasat‘s decade and a half track record serving well over one million subscribers speaks to positive customer experiences that Kuiper has much still to demonstrate through scaled delivery.
My core recommendation would be this: For consumers who prioritize trailblazing what seems likely to become a new gold standard in residential satellite connectivity – and aren‘t averse to growing pains of first generation systems – Kuiper presents a worthwhile gamble as early adopters. However, those wanting robust reliability from an established name in satellite communications may be best served sticking with tried-and-true Viasat, even if forced to temper speed expectations.
Regardless, this brewing space race judging from latest satellite capability leaps means consumers worldwide are soon poised to realize unprecedented satellite connectivity – a win however the orbiting internet access rivalry takes shape!
I sincerely hope you‘ve found this guide useful in clarifying the present satellite internet crossroads and where leaders like Kuiper and Viasat fit into the landscape. Please feel free to reach out with any other questions!
