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Liberia aims to use Amazon Project Kuiper to compete with Starlink

Liberia considers Amazon's satellite project to enhance internet access

Liberia is looking to license Amazon's Project Kuiper, aiming to lower internet costs and improve connectivity.

  • Licensing Amazon's Project Kuiper
  • Competing with Starlink's internet services
  • Improving internet affordability and accessibility
  • Growing satellite market expected
  • 1.84 million people currently online
  • US supports Liberia’s digital goals

Liberia is exploring licensing Amazon’s Project Kuiper to compete with Starlink, with aims to reduce internet costs while enhancing broadband access.

Licensing Satellite Providers to Boost Connectivity

Liberia is actively considering licensing Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite broadband service to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink, striving to reduce internet costs and expand broadband access. The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) is reviewing its licensing framework to welcome new satellite providers, part of broader telecom modernization efforts.[1][2][3]

  • Starlink officially launched in Liberia in January 2025 under a one-year license agreement with LTA.
  • Monthly subscription costs range between $40 and $50.
  • Equipment costs are approximately $390.
  • Starlink has improved internet coverage in rural Liberia but high costs restrict wider adoption.
  • Internet penetration in Liberia is about 32% with roughly 1.84 million users online.[4][5][3]

Amazon Project Kuiper’s Satellite Broadband Initiative

  • Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans to deploy 3,232 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
  • The constellation orbits at altitudes between 590 km and 630 km.
  • Kuiper began deploying satellites in April 2025, having 129 operational by September 2025.
  • Commercial services are expected to launch globally by late 2025 to early 2026.
  • The system targets low-latency, high-speed internet to underserved areas including schools, hospitals, and businesses.
  • Satellites use advanced technology like Optical Inter-Satellite Links for efficient data transfer.[6][7][8][1]

Market Growth and Strategic Importance

  • The global LEO satellite internet market was valued at $5.43 billion in 2024.
  • It is projected to grow to $31.15 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.4%.
  • Africa’s fibre penetration remains low (under 10% in rural areas), creating large opportunities for satellite broadband.
  • Satellite connectivity is seen as strategic national infrastructure, supporting education, healthcare, business, and government functions.[9][10]

Regional Expansion and Partnerships

  • Vodacom, in partnership with Amazon, is deploying Project Kuiper satellites to extend 4G and 5G coverage in Africa.
  • Kuiper supports mobile networks by connecting remote cell towers to central infrastructure, complementing fibre networks.
  • This partnership bypasses regulatory constraints faced by competitors like Starlink in certain countries (e.g., South Africa’s ownership rules).
  • Starlink currently operates in 17 African countries, but Project Kuiper’s partnership model presents a strong competitive alternative.[11][12][13][14]

Liberia’s Connectivity Goals

  • Increase competition to lower broadband costs.
  • Modernize telecom regulations for greater provider diversity.
  • Expand affordable, reliable internet to underserved rural areas.
  • Position Liberia as a testbed for satellite broadband development in Africa.
  • Receive diplomatic and investment support from the US Embassy and international partners.[2][3][1]
Alex Chen

Alex Chen

Senior Technology Journalist

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Alex Chen is a senior technology journalist with a decade of experience exploring the ever-evolving world of emerging technologies, cloud computing, hardware engineering, and AI-powered tools. A graduate of Stanford University with a B.S. in Computer Engineering (2014), Alex blends his strong technical background with a journalist’s curiosity to provide insightful coverage of global innovations. He has contributed to leading international outlets such as TechRadar, Tom’s Hardware, and The Verge, where his in-depth analyses and hardware reviews earned a reputation for precision and reliability. Currently based in Paris, France, Alex focuses on bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world applications — from AI-driven productivity tools to next-generation gaming and cloud infrastructure. His work consistently highlights how technology reshapes industries, creativity, and the human experience.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Added new relevant secondary sources
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. - Clarified licensing review focus on new providers including Kuiper.
  2. - Highlighted Starlink’s exact launch date and pricing details.
  3. - Added Project Kuiper’s satellite count and launch timeline.
  4. - Included Kuiper’s advanced satellite tech and service goals.
  5. - Specified Liberia’s internet penetration and strategic goals.
  6. - Presented African market growth and regional partnerships.
  7. - Emphasized US diplomatic support for Liberia’s digital aims.
  8. - Structured content with clear headings and concise bullet points.
  9. - Supported data with recent research and credible sources.
  10. - Compared project statuses without long paragraphs or redundancy.

FAQ

Why is Liberia pursuing Project Kuiper?

To lower internet costs and enhance connectivity.

How many people in Liberia are currently online?

Approximately 1.84 million people, or 32.4% of the population.

What support is the US providing Liberia?

Advocating for Liberia's digital ambitions with Amazon.