Amazon has applied to Ireland’s telecommunications regulator, ComReg, for a licence to operate a satellite ground station at the National Space Centre in Elfordstown, Midleton, Co. Cork. This move positions Amazon’s Project Kuiper service to directly challenge SpaceX’s Starlink in the Irish market.
Project Kuiper, similar to Starlink, is a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network complemented by user terminals and ground station infrastructure for satellite tracking, command, and backhaul . In April, Amazon launched its first 27 Kuiper satellites, with another scheduled shortly. The company’s $10 billion initiative aims to deploy over 3,200 satellites, targeting global consumer, corporate, and government connectivity by the end of 2025.
The Elfordstown ground station application, lodged in May, includes plans to operate within specified frequencies to prevent interference with existing services. ComReg’s preliminary assessment indicates negligible risk to current operations and leans toward approval, though the application is open for public comment until 18 July 2025.
Starlink has pursued similar approvals. Its Killala, Co. Mayo ground station was submitted in March, adding to its active station in Garretstown, West Cork.
Located at Europe’s most westerly teleport, the National Space Centre in Elfordstown already supports satellite broadcast and research operations. If approved, Amazon’s ground station will join this facility, reinforcing Ireland’s role in the space communications landscape.
Beyond Starlink and Kuiper, other industry players are expanding satellite internet ecosystems. European consortium Eutelsat, recently boosted by a €1.35 billion investment from the French government, aims to serve as a competitive alternative to SpaceX in Europe
