Amazon and Starlink are engaged in a battle on the ground and in the sky as they try to acquire TikTok
In an effort to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX's Starlink service and offer high-speed space-based internet, Amazon is getting ready to launch the first batch of its Project Kuiper satellites, further solidifying its position in the technology and telecommunications industries.
As a deadline that could decide the app's future in the US draws near, rumors are circulating that the company is interested in purchasing TikTok.
As part of a larger plan of 80 launches, Amazon intends to launch the first batch of 27 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites into Project Kuiper next week. These launches will contribute to the development of a constellation of satellites that can deliver high-speed internet with low latency.
Later this year, Amazon intends to begin providing the service to its customers.
Subject to favorable weather and technical conditions, the KA-01 mission's (short for Kuiper Atlas 1) satellites will launch on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on April 9.
Arianespace, Blue Origin, and even SpaceX itself are among Amazon's other launch partners.
Through specialized terminal antennas, Kuiper will offer worldwide satellite internet, enabling users to connect from almost any location.
A direct rival to the Starlink Mini, Amazon previously unveiled its smallest antenna, which was 7 square inches in size, weighed only one pound (less than half a kilogram), and could deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
With plans to manufacture them for less than $400 per unit, Amazon intends to provide larger antennas with speeds up to gigabits per second for both individual and business users.
Related to this, there have been rumors that Amazon is interested in purchasing TikTok in light of the app's future in the US.
These reports come as ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok, faces a critical deadline on April 5: either sell the app's US operations or risk being banned.
According to media reports, US President Donald Trump plans to unveil a plan to establish "TikTok America," in which ByteDance would retain a further stake and license the platform's algorithm, while US investors would purchase a 50% stake in the new business.
Given TikTok's potential to boost online shopping, particularly in light of Amazon's failure to make its short-video service Inspire successful, reports suggest that the company may be among those interested in purchasing the app. Blackstone and Oracle are among the other businesses looking to get involved in the acquisition process.
The TikTok deal is still pending; according to some reports, US investors are still attempting to come to an agreement while they await an official response from China, which could tie its decision to the new trade restrictions that Trump has announced.