FCC

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Amazon for hindering SpaceX’s orbital data center plans while failing to meet its own satellite deployment goals. Amazon has requested extensions for its Kuiper project, citing rocket shortages and manufacturing delays. The dispute highlights tensions in the growing low-Earth orbit sector, with SpaceX’s ambitious AI data center proposal facing scrutiny from scientists and Amazon itself.

The FCC has approved Amazon’s Project Kuiper to deploy an additional 4,500 satellites, bringing its total to about 7,700. This expansion intensifies competition with Starlink. Amazon aims to launch its satellite internet service by year-end, with the new satellites operating at higher altitudes to improve coverage. The FCC mandates launching 50% of approved satellites by February 2032 and the rest by February 2035. Amazon is also addressing a separate mandate for its first-generation satellites, facing launch capacity challenges. This $10 billion project signifies a major push into the broadband market.

The FCC is intensifying scrutiny of Hong Kong-based HKT Trust and HKT Ltd due to national security concerns, initiating proceedings that could block their interconnection with U.S. networks. This follows similar actions against other Chinese telecom companies. HKT’s shares declined on the news. The FCC’s action reflects growing U.S. concerns about Chinese influence and security risks, particularly for companies with ties to the Chinese government, amidst escalating trade tensions. PCCW, HKT’s parent, is majority-owned by Richard Li, placing the company at the center of US-China geopolitical rivalry.