The infrastructure is to help manage a new generation of advanced satellite communications to deliver reliable broadband to customers across Europe including in remote areas.
It is part of Amazon’s Project Kuiper network that combines more than 3,200 satellites in what is known as low Earth orbit.
Unlike traditional satellites that orbit approximately 36,000km above Earth, Project Kuiper’s satellites orbit much closer to the planet, helping deliver data faster to internet users.
The facility at the NSC will serve as an important link in the network, connecting the orbiting satellites to the internet and enabling the flow of data to and from customers across the region, Amazon said.
Project Kuiper aims is to deliver broadband network’s in areas that are too remote or hard to access with fibre infrastructure.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined representatives from Amazon and National Space Centre Ltd at Elfordstown facility in Cork. Photography by Gerard McCarthy photography
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – October 6th
The access to high-speed internet in remoter locations is vital in today’s society, Alison Dunn the Ireland country manager at Amazon stressed.
“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.”
Project Kuiper’s spending in the EU will contribute €2.8bn to GDP over the next decade and will support an average of 3,270 jobs annually across the EU, peaking at 6,610 jobs in 2025, Amazon said.
Permission for the new Irish site was approved from the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
The approval will enable Ireland to be a leader in connectivity over the next few years, according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
“This approval aligns perfectly with our National Digital Strategy to ensure Ireland remains a leader in technology, with high-speed connectivity in every corner of our country by 2028.
Ireland’s National Digital Strategy aims to ensure all Irish households and businesses are covered by a gigabit network no later than 2028.
Project Kuiper will aim to help bring connectivity to the hardest-to-reach parts of Ireland, complementing the National Broadband Plan by offering alternative solutions for areas where traditional infrastructure deployment remains challenging, Amazon said.
The tech giant aims to begin delivering service to some select customers later this year as part of a commercial ‘beta’ or early phase roll out and make that available more widely as it launches more satellites and adds capacity to the system.