In the past, colonialism was about land—territories seized, borders redrawn, and entire populations brought under foreign rule. Today, a new form of colonialism is unfolding—not on land, but in space. The battleground is not physical territory, but digital access. And the conquerors? Tech giants like Amazon and SpaceX, who are racing to control the next frontier: global internet connectivity.
With Amazon’s Project Kuiper set to launch its first batch of satellites on April 9, it is clear that the competition to dominate space-based internet is heating up. But this raises an important question: Are we witnessing a new era of digital imperialism?
The Battle for the Sky
For decades, telecom giants and governments have controlled internet access. But with the rise of satellite-based internet, the power dynamics are shifting. SpaceX’s Starlink, which already has more than 7,000 satellites in orbit, has proven that a single private company can provide high-speed internet almost anywhere on the planet—far beyond the reach of traditional infrastructure.
Now, Amazon is stepping in with Project Kuiper, which aims to launch 3,200 satellites in its first phase. The goal? To provide internet access “virtually anywhere on the planet.” The problem? This vision of global connectivity is controlled by a handful of powerful corporations, not governments or communities.
While competition between Starlink and Project Kuiper may seem like a win for consumers, it also means that our ability to connect to the internet could soon be dictated by private companies whose primary motive is profit, not public service.
Who Controls the Internet Controls the World
The implications of this shift go far beyond convenience. The ability to turn the internet on or off in any region gives these companies unprecedented influence over global affairs.
Consider Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, Starlink has provided a critical lifeline to the country’s military and civilians. Elon Musk himself has acknowledged that Starlink is the “backbone of the Ukrainian army”—a statement that reveals just how much geopolitical power is now concentrated in the hands of a private company.
What happens if, in the future, a conflict arises where a tech CEO decides to cut off access for strategic or political reasons? What happens when Amazon, SpaceX, or any other company becomes the gatekeeper of global information flow?
Digital Divide or Digital Dependence?
Proponents of satellite internet argue that it will bridge the digital divide, bringing connectivity to rural areas and developing nations where traditional infrastructure is lacking. In theory, this is a noble goal. But in practice, there’s a risk that these services will create digital dependence instead.
Right now, Starlink charges about £300 for the hardware and a £75 monthly subscription fee. Will Amazon’s Project Kuiper be any cheaper? And even if it is, what happens if these companies later increase their prices once they’ve established a monopoly in a region?
In the past, developing nations were made dependent on Western companies for oil, minerals, and manufactured goods. Are we now heading into a future where entire countries become dependent on Western tech giants for internet access?
Who Regulates Space?
Another major concern is regulation—or the lack of it. Telecom companies are subject to strict government regulations in most countries. But space? That’s a different story. No single government controls space, and international laws on satellite internet services are still evolving.
With thousands of satellites already in orbit and tens of thousands more planned, concerns over space debris, environmental impact, and fair competition are growing. Yet, tech billionaires like Musk and Bezos are moving at a pace that governments and regulatory bodies simply can’t keep up with.
A New Kind of Power Struggle
This isn’t just about Amazon vs. SpaceX. Other players are entering the race too. China is developing its satellite internet network, and Europe has announced plans to launch a competing system. We could soon see a world where internet access is divided along geopolitical lines—where connectivity is not just about infrastructure, but about power and control.
If Starlink dominates in Western-aligned countries, China’s satellites serve its sphere of influence, and Amazon’s Kuiper finds its place somewhere in between, we may be looking at the fragmentation of the internet itself.
The Final Frontier or the Final Monopoly?
Tech companies love to present their ventures into space as bold, innovative, and for the good of humanity. But history has shown that when corporations control essential resources, they rarely act purely in the public’s interest.
As Amazon prepares to launch its first satellites, we must ask ourselves:
- Who truly benefits from this competition?
- Are we heading toward a more connected world, or one where a handful of companies dictate who gets online and at what cost?
- Should something as essential as internet access be left in the hands of billionaires with no public accountability?
The new colonialism isn’t about flags or armies—it’s about who controls the flow of information in a world that runs on data. If we don’t question it now, we may wake up one day in a world where access to knowledge, communication, and even truth itself is no longer a basic right, but a service controlled by a select few.
Final Thought
Project Kuiper’s launch is just the beginning of a much larger battle. Whether this new era of satellite internet brings freedom or digital colonisation depends on how much power we allow these tech giants to accumulate—and whether governments and global institutions step up to regulate them before it’s too late.
