Amazon.com Inc. is set to launch its own satellite internet service this year, following a successful launch of 29 satellites aboard a United Launch Alliance rocket. This move marks a significant step for the e-commerce giant as it aims to challenge SpaceX's Starlink and establish a presence in the burgeoning satellite broadband market.

The deployment of these satellites is a direct precursor to Amazon's Project Kuiper, a massive undertaking designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access globally. The company has invested billions in this initiative, signaling its intent to compete head-on with established players in the space-based internet sector.

With the initial satellite constellation now in place, Amazon appears poised to begin offering its broadband services, intensifying competition in a market previously dominated by a few key providers. The successful launch directly enables the next phase of its ambitious connectivity project.

The commencement of Amazon's internet service this year signifies a major expansion for the tech behemoth into telecommunications infrastructure, directly impacting the competitive dynamics of the global internet service provider industry.