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Sources Say Amazon Testing Its Own Wireless Networking Service
Google has captured lots of attention with its municipal fiber efforts in Kansas City and Austin; Amazon, say some anonymous sources, is experimenting with a networking project of its own (distinct from its Whispernet 3G content delivery service) to connect users' devices to the internet. Rather than fiber, though, Amazon's tests involve spectrum controlled by satellite communications company Globalstar Inc., according to sources "who asked not to be identified because the test was private. ... Amazon continually tries various technologies, and it’s unclear if the wireless network testing is still taking place, said the people. The trial was in the vicinity of Amazon’s Lab126 research facilities in Cupertino, the people said. Lab126 designs and engineers Kindle devices."
Unless Globalstar has something really clever on the table, they should think carefully about the sordid saga of LightSquared... They thought that they'd buy a bunch of satellite-to-ground spectrum for peanuts and then get a waiver to use it as (much, much, more valuable) ground-ground spectrum. Shockingly, satellite-to-ground users in nearby spectra, with their feeble transmitters a zillion miles away, were Not Very Happy at the prospect of having comparatively massive towers screaming on nearby channels all over the economically relevant parts of the continental US.
At this point, LightSquared runs a fairly uninteresting satellite internet business and an unbelievably obnoxious lobbying business, stomping their feet and pouting because they aren't being allowed to pull their spectrum conversion trick.