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Amazon unveils satellite receivers for Starlink competitor, ‘Project Kuiper’

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Amazon has unveiled its trio of satellite internet receivers that will be part of its “Project Kuiper” internet service, competing with SpaceX Starlink.

Besides SpaceX’s incredible success at creating a rocket that can take off and land multiple times, one of its most incredible creations is its Starlink satellite internet service, which today reaches every continent on the planet. Now, Amazon hopes to compete in the same market, launching its satellite internet service, “Project Kuiper.”

America’s largest online retailer first announced Project Kuiper in 2018 but has since been tight-lipped about details. Now, Amazon has revealed a trio of satellite internet receiver offerings that hope to undercut Starlink’s price tag.

Amazon’s smallest, most affordable offering is a portable satellite receiver, selling for only $100 and offering speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Stepping up in price and speed, Amazon will also offer a residential service option, selling for $400 and providing 400Mbps of speed. Finally, for commercial and government use cases, Amazon will offer its largest receiver, capable of 1 gigabit per second, though the price of this product has not been disclosed.

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While Amazon has outlined that affordability is a primary design goal for Project Kuiper, it has not announced the pricing for the internet service.

Each Project Kuiper receiver will use Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite network. These satellites have not yet reached production, but the first two prototypes will be launched later this year on a Vulcan Centaur rocket from United Launch Alliance.

Amazon is aiming to achieve mass production of its satellites later this year and will begin launching sometime in 2024. Customers can expect to start using Project Kuiper by the end of 2024.

The obvious comparison is to the Starlink products already out on the market, and the two competitors have much in common. They are based on the same LEO satellite technology and have similar offerings, from portable, like the Starlink Roam, to commercial. However, it should be noted that the SpaceX offerings are currently substantially more expensive, starting at $600 for the stationary edition of the Starlink Roam and Residential offerings.

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Starlink currently costs $120 per month, though that price can increase substantially for higher-speed offerings.

As for the speed, Amazon has high hopes for its system, as it could be substantially faster than Starlink’s current offerings. SpaceX states that customers can expect 300Mbps anywhere worldwide, while business customers can achieve 350Mbps. However, Starlink is in the process of upgrading its network, and upcoming speeds are still unknown.

Amazon estimates it will need roughly 3,236 satellites to form its complete “constellation,” though the company did not specify how much area that would cover. Nonetheless, Amazon faces quite a challenge, especially if it hopes to compete with the coverage of Starlink.

What do you think of the article? Do you have any comments, questions, or concerns? Shoot me an email at william@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @WilliamWritin. If you have news tips, email us at tips@teslarati.com!

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Will is an auto enthusiast, a gear head, and an EV enthusiast above all. From racing, to industry data, to the most advanced EV tech on earth, he now covers it at Teslarati.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk estimates Tesla Semi could reach Europe next year

“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” Musk said.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla is preparing to expand its all-electric Semi truck program to Europe, with CEO Elon Musk indicating that the Class 8 vehicle could arrive in the region 2027.

Musk shared his update during an interview about Giga Berlin with plant manager André Thierig, which was posted on X by the official Tesla Manufacturing account.

“We’ve got the Tesla Semi coming out, the heavy truck, and that’ll be going to Europe hopefully next year,” he said.

Tesla has already begun limited production and customer deployments of the Tesla Semi in the United States, with the company working to scale output through the Semi factory near Giga Nevada. Considering Musk’s comments, it appears that a European rollout would be the next phase of the vehicle’s expansion beyond North America.

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Musk’s use of the word “hopefully” leaves room for flexibility, but the remark signals that Europe is next in Tesla’s commercial expansion plans.

Musk has consistently argued that electrification should extend beyond passenger vehicles. During the same interview, he reiterated his view that “all ground transport should be electric,” adding that ships, and eventually aircraft, would follow.

The Semi plays a central role in that strategy. Heavy-duty freight remains one of the most emissions-intensive segments of road transport, and European regulators have increasingly pushed for lower-emission commercial fleets. 

Tesla recently refreshed the Semi lineup on its official website, listing two variants: Standard and Long Range. The Standard trim offers up to 325 miles of range with an energy consumption rating of 1.7 kWh per mile, while the Long Range version provides up to 500 miles, which should be more than ample for European routes.

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Elon Musk

Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after

“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.

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Credit: Cybercab

Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk. 

During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.

“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.

Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.

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The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run. 

Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually. 

Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.

Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.

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Energy

Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia

Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.

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Credit: Tesla

Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.

Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.

“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.

“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”

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Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.

“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”

Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.

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