Amazon’s satellite unit Project Kuiper signed a deal with Vodafone to use its next-generation satellites for high-speed backhaul, connecting remote 4G and 5G sites across Europe and Africa and embedding Amazon into global carrier networks.

By strengthening existing tower infrastructure instead of offering direct-to-device connectivity, Amazon positions Kuiper as a backbone for remote network expansion, challenging traditional carrier capex models and providing a counterpoint to SpaceX’s Starlink strategy.