Blue Origin plans Starlink rival ‘TeraWave’: why satellite internet is becoming critical infrastructure

/ Technology / By

Summary: Jeff Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin says it will launch more than 5,400 satellites to build a global communications network called TeraWave—positioned as a rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink. Unlike Starlink’s consumer-heavy pitch, Blue Origin is framing TeraWave around data centres, businesses, and governments, with headline throughput claims of up to 6 terabits per second.

This isn’t just a “space race” headline. It’s about who controls the next layer of global internet infrastructure—and what happens when multiple mega-constellations compete for the same orbital real estate.

What was announced

From the BBC report:

  • Blue Origin plans to launch more than 5,400 satellites.
  • The network is named TeraWave.
  • The company says it will provide continuous internet access globally and move large amounts of data quickly.
  • Blue Origin claims peak throughput of up to 6 terabits per second.
  • Starlink remains far larger in orbit today.
  • Starlink serves individuals; Blue Origin says TeraWave will focus on data centres, businesses and governments.
  • Blue Origin says launches could start by the end of 2027.

Why this market exists: latency, resilience, and coverage

Satellite networks matter because they can offer:

  • connectivity in remote areas
  • redundancy when terrestrial links fail
  • lower latency routes over long distances (in some scenarios)

For governments and enterprises, the appeal is often:

  • resilience (multiple paths)
  • rapid deployment
  • coverage in hard-to-reach geographies

The key strategic difference: consumer vs enterprise/government

Starlink’s brand is consumer broadband and connectivity for individuals.

Blue Origin is signalling a different revenue strategy:

  • sell capacity to institutions
  • focus on high-throughput backbone-like services

That can be a smart play because:

  • enterprise contracts can be larger and stickier
  • compliance and procurement build switching costs

But it also raises the stakes for geopolitics and national security.

The infrastructure question: Blue Origin needs to prove cadence

The satellite business isn’t just “build satellites.” It’s:

  • launch cadence
  • ground stations
  • regulatory approvals
  • operational reliability

Starlink’s advantage is not only technology—it’s operational rhythm.

So for TeraWave, the big unknown is execution:

  • can Blue Origin launch frequently enough?
  • can it manufacture at scale?
  • can it operate a constellation reliably?

Crowded space: more constellations, more conflicts

The report notes another competitor: Amazon’s satellite venture (called Leo) with plans for thousands of satellites.

The more constellations you add, the more you have:

  • spectrum coordination problems
  • orbital congestion concerns
  • collision avoidance complexity

This isn’t theoretical. Space is becoming an environment that requires active traffic management.

Throughput claims: what they mean (and what they don’t)

A “6 terabits per second” headline is impressive, but meaningful performance depends on:

  • how that capacity is distributed
  • what user terminals can handle
  • how often satellites pass over high-demand regions

It’s similar to mobile networks: headline speeds are less important than consistent real-world capacity.

Why governments care

For governments, satellite networks intersect with:

  • defence communications
  • disaster response
  • strategic autonomy (not being dependent on a rival nation’s infrastructure)

This is why satellite internet is increasingly treated like critical infrastructure.

What to watch next

  1. Regulatory filings and spectrum: where will TeraWave operate and under what licences?
  2. Manufacturing plans: can Blue Origin build thousands of satellites at scale?
  3. Launch schedule realism: end-of-2027 is a promise that will be tested by engineering and supply chains.
  4. Customer targeting: which governments and enterprises become anchor clients?
  5. Space sustainability: debris mitigation and collision-avoidance commitments.

Bottom line

Blue Origin’s TeraWave announcement is a serious signal that Starlink won’t be the only mega-constellation shaping global connectivity.

But in satellite networks, the winner is usually the company that can execute at scale—launch, operate, and monetise reliably—not the company with the boldest press release.

Sources

n English