Westpac Explores LEOsats to Enhance Banking Services in Indigenous Communities

Westpac is in discussions with Amazon to utilize its upcoming Project Kuiper satellite system, with the aim of improving accessibility to banking services, particularly in remote Indigenous communities.

Bronwyn Dodd, the national general manager of Indigenous banking at the bank, revealed during the AWS Summit Sydney that Westpac initiated discussions with the public cloud vendor on Project Kuiper six months prior. She emphasized the progress made, noting that the conversations have since evolved significantly.Dodd, who hails from the Ngarrindjeri nation, highlighted that the discussions with Project Kuiper marked a unique experience for both parties involved. She emphasized the significant financial exclusion faced by Indigenous communities, revealing that three-quarters of Indigenous individuals lack access to financial services and are fortunate to possess even a single bank account.

Dodd further highlighted that half of Indigenous individuals face financial challenges, with at least 14 percent residing in rural or remote areas. These communities encounter barriers related to telecommunications, electricity access, and digital device availability, as well as issues surrounding digital literacy and affordability of connectivity.Expressing the imperative for inclusivity, Dodd emphasized the need for access to financial services. However, she underscored the importance of not making promises that cannot be fulfilled, stating, “my people don’t need that anymore.”

When asked for more information about their intentions with low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Westpac chose not to disclose specific details. Nevertheless, they reiterated their dedication to improving financial service accessibility for First Nations Australians. The spokesperson emphasized their openness to collaborating with organizations capable of helping achieve this objective, underscoring their commitment to inclusivity and innovation in financial services.

Project Kuiper, unveiled in 2018, is Amazon’s ambitious initiative to deploy 3,236 satellites into Earth’s orbit with the aim of delivering high-speed internet connectivity. Leveraging the robust infrastructure of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the project seeks to bridge the digital divide by offering reliable and affordable internet access to underserved and remote communities worldwide.⬤

Project Kuiper, a venture announced by Amazon in 2019, is set to deploy a constellation of 3,236 satellites into Earth’s orbit to provide high-speed internet connectivity. This ambitious project is expected to rival Starlink, the satellite-based internet service launched by SpaceX. With a planned investment of billions of dollars, Project Kuiper aims to bridge the digital divide by offering internet access to underserved and remote communities around the world. The deployment of these satellites will be facilitated by launching them into low Earth orbit (LEO) using approximately 80 rockets.⬤

In October 2023, Amazon took a significant step forward by launching a pair of prototype satellites for Kuiper, with plans to conduct customer trials by “late 2024”. AWS principal solutions architect for Kuiper, Nick Matthews, revealed that the satellite constellation is expected to be commercially available in mid-2025, initially targeting North America, Japan, and Europe.

Matthews emphasized that commercial availability of Project Kuiper in Australia and New Zealand would closely follow, with plans to target consumers, government agencies, and enterprises. He highlighted sectors such as media, entertainment, and mining as key areas for potential use cases. During the AWS Summit Sydney, Matthews underscored Project Kuiper’s ability to enhance connectivity in rural Australia, sharing his experiences in Port Hedland where he engaged with the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce. He noted the challenges of limited connectivity faced by offshore workers, highlighting the importance of reliable communication for maintaining connections with family.