Australia's internet network signs Amazon satellite service
From next year, low-Earth orbit satellites owned by Amazon's Project Kuiper will start replacing two Australian government-owned satellites due for decommissioning in 2032, NBN Co and Amazon said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The deal, for which financial terms were not disclosed, is designed to give high-speed internet to some 300,000 homes and businesses that NBN's terrestrial network does not reach. The thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites are connected to each other through optical links and communicate with antennas and other connection points on the ground.
The deal represents a missed opportunity for Starlink, by far the world's biggest provider of such network services and which already has more than 250,000 customers in Australia, according to industry data. Australia's two biggest telecoms providers sell Starlink residential connection dishes and some government entities, including the Australian Electoral Commission, also have contracts with the company.
Starlink, a unit of Musk's SpaceX rocket company, now has 8,000 fast-orbiting satellites since it began launching them in 2019, while Amazon's service has just 78 since its first launch in April. NBN and Amazon said Project Kuiper would ultimately have more than 3,200.
NBN said the decision followed a rigorous procurement process, but did not say why it had chosen the Amazon service.
Starlink was not immediately available for comment.
"It is true that Amazon Kuiper has not launched services yet in Australia or globally, but they are reportedly pumping in about $15 billion into that programme," said Gavin Williams, chief development officer for regional and remote services at NBN.
"We have every confidence that we've got a partner in Kuiper that will do what they say they're going to do," he added in an interview.
Asked if Musk's ownership of Starlink played a part in the decision, Williams said only that NBN supplied critical infrastructure with regulatory and legal obligations and "technical, operational, and commercial imperatives that fall into that consideration were contemplated and ventilated through the procurement process."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
8 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Dollar drifts as investors await Fed governor replacement
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel SINGAPORE: The dollar was rangebound on Wednesday, with investors choosing to stay on the sidelines ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve 's Board of said on Tuesday he will decide on a nominee by the end of the week and had separately narrowed the possible replacements for Fed Chair Jerome Powell to a short list of out the same day also showed the U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July even as input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the hit from Trump's tariffs on the economy, which has also begun to bite corporate those did little to sway the dollar, as traders were hesitant to take on fresh positions ahead of news on who would fill the Fed board vacancy. Concerns are mounting that partisan loyalty would invade the staid world of central bank dollar was last little changed at 147.54 yen, while the euro ticked up 0.02% to $1.5760. Sterling last bought $ in currencies overnight had been muted."I still think that between now and the end of the week, if Trump is going to make an announcement about who he wants to fill the vacant board seat, depending on... how credible (the markets) view that candidate to be, I think that has the potential to prompt some reaction across everything," said Ray Attrill, head of FX research at National Australia Bank (NAB)."For me, that' the biggest swing factor for the next sort of 48 hours or so."While moves in the dollar have been more subdued this week, the currency has yet to recover from its steep losses on Friday, when it clocked its largest one-day percentage fall in nearly four months following an alarming jobs a basket of currencies, the dollar was last at 98.76 , still some distance away from its peak of 100.25 hit on Friday before the nonfarm payrolls continue to price in an over 90% chance of a Fed cut in September, with about 58 basis points worth of easing expected by the data such as Tuesday's services ISM report underscore the fine line the Fed has to tread, as policymakers weigh rising price pressures from Trump's tariffs against signs of a weakening U.S. economy."The services ISM has obviously got that kind of stagflationary whiff about it... that's obviously a bit of a two-edged sword in terms of what does that mean for policy," said NAB's Attrill."At the moment, I think we're sort of of the view that maybe there's a bit too much confidence in the market about the certainty of a September move."In other currencies, the Australian dollar rose 0.15% to $0.6479, while the New Zealand dollar gained 0.23% to $ Zealand's jobless rate rose slightly in the second quarter as the labour market remained soft, data on Wednesday showed, supporting the view that the central bank will proceed with a flagged 25 basis-point interest cut at its August policy meeting.
Indian Express
38 minutes ago
- Indian Express
C Raja Mohan writes: Trump's techno-capitalism, tech broligarchy and India's challenge
An important anniversary in India's technological history passed largely unnoticed last week — the launch of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975. A pioneering collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SITE used the American ATS-6 satellite to beam educational programmes in local languages to over 2,400 villages across six of India's most underdeveloped states. The content included primary education, health awareness, agricultural practices, and national integration. SITE remains a landmark in the technological imagination of India's developmental state. For the US, the project was an expression of 'scientific internationalism'— the Cold War-era belief that modern science and technology could advance peace and prosperity through international collaboration. But that idealism quickly faltered. Following India's 1974 nuclear test, Washington's enthusiasm for technology cooperation gave way to non-proliferation anxieties. It would take three decades to overcome these disputes and rebuild bilateral trust. This effort culminated in the launch of the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) under President Joe Biden in 2023, aimed at reinvigorating India-US cooperation in advanced technologies. Whether ICET can survive renewed political turbulence in the bilateral relationship — marked by differences on Russia, trade, and Pakistan — remains uncertain. Yet, a more structural challenge looms: The increasingly divergent trajectories of the Indian and American technology ecosystems. Even in 1975, the SITE programme featured private sector participation. The ATS satellite was built by the Fairchild Corporation (now defunct). But in the years since, the American technology landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. NASA, once the dominant actor in space, now shares the stage with private firms like Elon Musk's SpaceX, which conducts more launches annually than the government agency itself. Over the past two decades, America's dynamic technology sector has not only accelerated innovation but also given the US a strategic edge over its rivals. The US government continues to play a vital role — particularly in defence procurement and standard-setting — but increasingly acts as a catalyst rather than a controller. China, by contrast, has charted a different course. Since Deng Xiaoping's call for 'scientific modernisation' in the late 1970s, the Chinese state has pursued a centralised, mission-driven model of technological advancement. Decades of double-digit growth, rapid industrialisation, and heavy investment in scientific research and higher education have propelled China into the front ranks of global technological power, especially in AI and space technology. Despite starting later than India, China's civilian space programme now competes with that of the US and is expanding its global footprint through initiatives like the Digital and Space Silk Roads. India's own trajectory remains moored somewhere in between the American and Chinese models. Recent reforms have introduced greater dynamism into India's space sector, but Delhi is still some distance from fully mobilising its private sector to secure a larger share of the global space economy or rejuvenating its higher education and scientific research establishments. While India finds its footing, the global tech landscape is being reshaped by dramatic developments in the US. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has unveiled two major initiatives — on AI and cryptocurrency — that symbolise a novel approach to techno-politics. Unlike Biden, who sought to regulate and constrain Big Tech, Donald Trump has given it a free hand. In embracing Silicon Valley's libertarian elite, Trump is remaking the American state not as a regulator of big technology, but as its enthusiastic enabler. What emerges is a distinct philosophy of techno-capitalism: Unapologetically post-liberal, aggressively nationalist, fiercely deregulatory, and ambitiously expansionist. Trump's 2025 AI policy prioritises dismantling regulatory barriers, building data infrastructure, promoting AI-led manufacturing, and mobilising hundreds of billions of dollars in public and private investment. While all major economies aspire to grow AI, the combination of American capital and Silicon Valley's technological prowess sets the US apart. Trump's techno-capitalism also extends into financial innovation. The recently enacted 'GENIUS Act' marks a decisive break from the Biden administration's cautious approach to cryptocurrencies. The Act creates a framework for dollar-backed stablecoins, requiring them to be fully backed 1:1 by liquid US assets such as cash or short-term treasuries. It also mandates reserve disclosures and consumer protections, laying the groundwork for mainstream adoption of stablecoins as digital payment systems. The policy aims to reinforce the US dollar's role as the world's reserve currency and counter growing calls for 'de-dollarisation,' including from BRICS nations. Rejecting the idea of a central bank digital currency, the Trump administration is also setting up a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and has ended prosecutions of major crypto firms initiated during the Biden years. Here too, the motivation is not just economic—it is geopolitical. At the ideological heart of this techno-capitalist revolution is Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist and co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and a staunch supporter of Trump's tech agenda. Thiel insists that true innovation arises not from state mandates or regulatory frameworks, but from visionary entrepreneurs liberated from liberal-democratic constraints. His worldview blends libertarian individualism with a muscular nationalism that sees China as America's principal technological adversary. This marks a decisive break from the techno-optimism of the 1990s, when the rise of the internet was seen as heralding a borderless, decentralised world where the state would gradually recede. That dream proved short-lived. Governments reasserted themselves through regulation, surveillance, and digital sovereignty. Today, we are witnessing the rise of a new state-capital compact—a 'tech broligarchy' in which Silicon Valley elites and Washington collaborate to pursue technological supremacy not for utopian ends, but for strategic advantage. This alliance is central to Trump's broader effort to reconfigure global trade, finance, and security. Whether one supports or opposes this project, its ambition and momentum are undeniable. If even a fraction of the current AI hype is realised and a portion of the planned investment materialises, American techno-capitalism will loom large over the world's economic future. India cannot remain untouched by these shifts. The celebrated Indian IT sector— long a symbol of the country's global economic integration and a major contributor to its GDP—now faces serious vulnerabilities. As AI begins to automate many of the services that defined India's IT outsourcing boom, traditional jobs may disappear or become obsolete. Add to this Trump's growing hostility toward H-1B visas, and the threat to India's digital workforce becomes even more acute. India's ambition to be a major exporter of tech talent could also be undermined by the West's rising techno-nationalism and hostility to immigration. We are only at the beginning of this techno-capitalist revolution. Will its march be inevitable and triumphant? The alliance between American populism and Silicon Valley could unravel over time due to internal contradictions or commercial rivalries. But the structural shifts now underway in American techno-capitalism—and their global implications—are likely to be enduring. For India, the imperatives are clear. There is an urgent need to overhaul the domestic tech sector, expand investment in scientific research, and better integrate private enterprise into national innovation strategies. The country must also prepare its industry, workforce, and regulatory institutions for a new era of technological transformation. The writer is contributing editor on international affairs for The Indian Express and senior fellow at the Council for Strategic and Defence Research
Mint
38 minutes ago
- Mint
Check out these best AI powered washing machine for efficient laundry care: Top 8 picks from with the latest technology
Doing laundry doesn't have to be a chore when you have an AI powered washing machine at home. These smart washers use intelligent sensors to customise every wash, giving you clean and fresh clothes while using less water and electricity. The best AI powered washing machine is built to adapt to different load sizes, fabric types, and washing requirements without you having to make a guess. It's not just about automation, but smarter performance and lasting efficiency. Product Rating Price BEST OVERALL LG 9 Kg, 5 Star, AI Direct Drive Technology, Steam, 6 Motion DD & Wi-Fi Fully-Automatic Front Load Washing Machine (FHP1209Z5M, Intelligent & Convenient Fabric Care, Allergy Care, Middle Black) View Details Samsung 9 kg, 5 Star, AI Control, AI Ecobubble, Super Speed, Wi-Fi, Hygiene Steam with Inbuilt Heater, Digital Inverter, Fully-Automatic Front Load Washing Machine (WW90DG6U24ASTL, NAVY) View Details IFB 7 Kg 5 Star with Deep Clean® Technology, AI Powered, Fully Automatic Top Load Washing Machine (TL701MG1, ActivMix, Aqua Energie, Med Grey) View Details VALUE FOR MONEY Haier 8 kg 5 Star Powered by AI-DBT with PuriSteam, 525mm Super Drum Fully Automatic Front Load Washing Machine (HW80-IM12929C, Inverter with In-Built Heater, White) View Details Bosch 9kg 5 Star Anti Stain & AI Active Water Plus Fully Automatic Front Load Washing Machine with Built in Heater (WGA1420TIN, Pretreatment & Steam with Anti Bacteria and 5 Star Inverter, Black Grey) View Details View More Some of the best washing machine models today come with features like steam cleaning for deep hygiene, anti-stain programs for tough marks, and anti-tangle technology to protect your clothes. Many of these are available on Amazon with top ratings, great reviews, and strong after-sales service. If you want to make your laundry room smarter and your life easier, explore these models and pick the one that fits your routine perfectly. The LG 9 Kg Front Load AI powered washing machine is designed for both high performance and smart convenience. Its AI Direct Drive and 6 Motion DD technologies provide tailored and gentle care for all your fabrics. The Hygiene Steam function, which includes Allergy Care and Baby Steam Care, ensures a deep and sanitary clean, making it ideal for households with children or allergy concerns. With 14 wash programs, a built-in heater, and Wi-Fi connectivity, this 5-star rated machine is a top-tier choice for large families who want to save on energy and water. Dimensions 47.5D x 60W x 85H cm AI DD for intelligent fabric care Steam technology for allergen-free cleaning Requires stable water pressure What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers mention the washer's cleaning performance, quiet operation, and convenient app control. Many appreciate its hygienic steam wash and stylish design. Opt for this model if you want a high-capacity, energy-efficient washer with advanced fabric care. The Samsung 9 Kg Front Load AI powered washing machine brings together AI Control, Ecobubble, and a 1400 RPM motor for efficient, powerful washing. Designed for large families, it features 23 wash programs including Hygiene Steam, Super Speed, and Less Microfiber. The AI Energy Mode reduces energy usage by up to 70%. With Wi-Fi connectivity, it offers smart control via app. The stainless steel diamond drum ensures gentle yet deep cleaning, while SpaceMax design gives more space inside without increasing size. Dimensions 55D x 60W x 85H cm Saves up to 70% energy High spin speed ensures faster drying Premium pricing What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers mention its energy efficiency, silent operation, and fast washing. Many love the smart controls and hygiene-focused features. Choose this if you want advanced smart features, top-tier energy savings, and tailored wash performance. Experience smart and powerful cleaning with the IFB 7 Kg Top Load AI powered washing machine. This model uses AI to intelligently customize wash cycles based on your laundry's fabric type and weight. The unique Triadic Pulsator delivers a deep yet gentle wash, while Deep Clean® technology and Aqua Energie effectively remove stubborn stains and handle hard water issues. Featuring 8+1 wash programs, this compact and energy-efficient washing machine is the perfect choice for small families who want superior performance and hygiene. Dimensions 57.5D x 54.3W x 94.6H cm Effective stain removal with Deep Clean® Aqua Energie for hard water treatment 720 RPM may not dry as fast as higher-end models What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers appreciate its compact size, smart fabric detection, and effective wash. Many find it easy to use and energy-saving. Go for this model if you want intelligent wash performance in a compact size. It uses AI to optimise cleaning, reduces fabric wear, and handles hard water effortlessly. The Haier 8 Kg Front Load AI powered washing machine is built for powerful, hygienic cleaning. It features a spacious 525mm Super Drum for better fabric care and AI-DBT for stable performance. With PuriSteam and antibacterial treatment, it ensures a germ-free wash. The inverter motor is energy efficient and quiet. Dual Spray and Laser Seamless Drum enhance cleanliness and reduce fabric wear. With 15 wash programs and a sleek smart panel, it's ideal for families needing reliable, modern washing. Dimensions 58D x 55W x 85H cm Steam wash eliminates 99% of germs Large drum size supports bulky loads No app-based smart control What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers like the large drum and steam function. It's praised for smooth operation, fabric care, and quiet performance during heavy loads. Opt for this if hygiene and fabric protection are priorities. Its Super Drum provides spacious and gentle cleaning. The Bosch 9 Kg Front Load AI powered washing machine delivers precise and hygienic cleaning with AI Active Water Plus, Anti-Stain tech, and Steam Wash. The 14 wash programs suits all laundry needs, while its EcoSilence Drive motor ensures quiet, energy-efficient operation. The stainless steel drum and anti-vibration design add durability and stability. Ideal for large families, it also features an in-built heater, quick wash, and smart options like SpeedPerfect. The SoftCare drum ensures fabric-friendly care in every cycle. Dimensions 58D x 59.8W x 84.8H cm Fast drying with 1400 RPM Steam and heater ensure hygiene Higher energy consumption in steam cycles What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers praise its build quality, powerful stain removal, and silent motor. It's considered a premium option with reliable German engineering. Pick this model for advanced stain and bacteria removal along with quiet and efficient performance. The Samsung 8 Kg 5 Star Top Load AI powered washing machine offers smart, efficient, and powerful cleaning with AI Wash, Ecobubble, and Digital Inverter Technology. It adjusts the wash according to fabric weight and type, delivers energy savings up to 20%, and ensures quiet operation with AI VRT+. With 12 wash programs, Wi-Fi support, and a soft closing lid, it caters to modern households. The 2nd Diamond Drum protects clothes while the Magic Filter and Tub Clean maintain hygiene. Dimensions 56.8D x 54W x 98.8H cm Ecobubble technology for better detergent activation Durable rust-proof body with rat mesh protection 700 RPM lower than front load washers What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers highlight the washer's smart features, low noise, and effective cleaning. Many appreciate its energy savings and durable design. Select this washing machine for a blend of intelligent wash care and power-saving performance. Packed with smart tech and built for fabric care, this LG top load AI powered washing machine makes laundry less of a chore. The AI Direct Drive technology customises each wash from over 20,000 patterns. Its 5-star efficiency, 10 kg capacity, and Hygiene Steam ensure effective, gentle cleaning. You also get Wi-Fi with ThinQ app support, stainless steel build, and 780 RPM spin speed for quicker drying. An ideal pick for homes needing convenience, care, and durability. Dimensions 56D x 54W x 94.5H cm Smart Wi-Fi control via LG ThinQ app Powerful Hygiene Steam wash for allergy care Slightly bulkier than compact models What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers appreciate the smart AI washing and gentle fabric care. Many mention that the steam function is effective in dealing with allergens. The Wi-Fi control also receives praise, although some users wish the app was more intuitive. Overall, it's rated highly for performance, energy efficiency, and wash quality. Choose this for: intelligent wash cycles that protect your clothes, Wi-Fi control for added convenience, and a strong 10 kg capacity that suits big families. For those who are seeking both power and precision, this Bosch 10 kg Front Load AI powered washing machine is the ideal choice. It offers intelligent washing with AI Active Water+, which dynamically adjusts water levels for maximum efficiency. The machine's in-built heater allows for high-temperature washes to sanitize clothes, while features like Anti-Stain and Steam Assist provide targeted care for your garments, ensuring they are not only clean but also well-maintained. Its robust motor and 5-star rating underscore its commitment to durability, energy savings, and long-term value, making it perfect for the needs of a large, busy household. Dimensions 59D x 59.8W x 84.8H cm Steam Assist and Anti Stain feature for deep cleaning 14 custom wash programs Slightly bulky for compact spaces What are buyers saying on Amazon? Buyers have praised its quiet performance, fabric care, and effective stain removal. Many reviews mention the spacious 10 kg drum, which is ideal for bulky loads like blankets and curtains. The Steam Assist function and anti-vibration build have also received positive feedback. Choose this for its intelligent wash technology, fabric-protecting steam options, and strong 5-star energy rating. How does an AI-powered washing machine work? An AI washing machine uses sensors to analyze the load's weight, fabric type, and soil level. It then intelligently adjusts the wash cycle duration, water level, temperature, and detergent amount for a customized and highly efficient cleaning process. This ensures optimal results and fabric care. What are the key advantages of using an AI washing machine? The main benefits include superior cleaning performance, enhanced fabric care, and significant savings on water and energy. By precisely tailoring each wash, these machines prevent damage to clothes and reduce your utility bills while offering greater convenience. What is the difference between an AI washing machine and a smart washing machine? A smart washing machine often has connectivity features like Wi-Fi for remote control. An AI washing machine goes a step further by using artificial intelligence to make autonomous decisions, automatically optimizing the wash cycle without manual input. AI feature depth : Look for models that automatically detect fabric types and optimise wash settings : Look for models that automatically detect fabric types and optimise wash settings Load capacity : Select a machine that suits your daily laundry volume : Select a machine that suits your daily laundry volume Energy efficiency : Go for high-rated models to reduce long-term electricity costs : Go for high-rated models to reduce long-term electricity costs Smart wash programs : Ensure the machine offers a variety of intelligent cycles : Ensure the machine offers a variety of intelligent cycles App connectivity : Check if it supports mobile apps for remote control and monitoring : Check if it supports mobile apps for remote control and monitoring Build and durability : Focus on stainless steel drums and robust motor technology : Focus on stainless steel drums and robust motor technology Noise and vibration levels : Pick models with inverter motors for silent performance : Pick models with inverter motors for silent performance After-sales service: Choose a brand known for prompt support and easy maintenance Best AI powered washing machine Spin Speed Access Location Special Features 1200 RPM Front Load 1400 RPM Front Load Child Lock, Hygiene Steam, Drum Clean 720 RPM Top Load Auto-Load Sensing, ActivMix 1200 RPM Front Load Super Drum, Refresh, Inverter, Leaser Seamless Drum 1200 RPM Front Load Child Lock, Hygiene Steam, Drum Clean 700 RPM Top Load Child Lock, High Efficiency, Drum Clean, Smart Connectivity 780 RPM Top Load Inverter, Child Lock, Auto Restart 1400 RPM Front Load 14 wash program, Rust- resistant stainless steel body Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase.
