Does Amazon Have Its Own WiFi Network in 2024?

As Amazon continues expanding into new markets, you may be wondering — does the e-commerce giant offer WiFi connectivity? With over 200 million Prime members globally, providing wireless access could further grow Amazon‘s reach.

Let‘s analyze the WiFi capabilities of Amazon devices, services, and infrastructure to see what access they currently offer or plan to roll out.

Amazon WiFi Router Business is Growing

Amazon acquired eero in 2019 for $97 million to enter the consumer WiFi space. As a leader in mesh systems, eero fits well with Amazon‘s strategy for connected homes.

According to IDC, Amazon ranked 3rd in WiFi 6 router market share in Q3 2021. eero systems grew over 340% year-over-year.

Global Consumer WiFi 6 Router Market Share

With whole home mesh WiFi adoption on the rise, Amazon has continued investing in eero. The latest systems use WiFi 6E for up to 2.5X faster throughput.

Over 87% of eero owners say it provides better coverage than their previous router. Amazon can leverage deep integration with Alexa and Echo devices to further drive sales growth.

Sidewalk: Long-Range Wireless for IoT Devices

Amazon Sidewalk is a new low-bandwidth, long-distance wireless network designed to help devices work better both at home and beyond the front door.

Accessible for compatible Echo and Ring devices, Sidewalk can extend coverage up to half a mile. This shared network uses small slices of home WiFi bandwidth that Amazon claims is "nearly imperceptible" to households.

Amazon Sidewalk Network Capabilities

Distance: Up to 0.5 miles  
Bandwidth: 80Kbps uplink/download
Frequency: 900 MHz in US (800 MHz in EU)
Data Usage: Max 500MB monthly 

While useful for simplifying new device setups and keeping gadgets connected outdoors, Sidewalk isn‘t robust enough for high-bandwidth activities like video streaming. Critics also raise valid privacy concerns over Amazon collecting network connection data.

Ultimately for all your 4K, 8K, VR, and smart home needs, you‘ll still need a separate high-speed home WiFi network.

Tracking Productivity via WiFi in Warehouses

Amazon leverages WiFi connectivity rather differently within its expansive fulfillment center infrastructure. Warehouse associates utilize handheld barcode scanners, tablets, and other mobile devices connected via WiFi to keep inventory and orders flowing smoothly.

As reported by The Information, Amazon previously tested using WiFi signals to monitor worker productivity, attendance, bathroom breaks, and proximity to colleagues to limit social contact.

However, connecting every movement to an IP address raised concerns among privacy advocates. Amazon has currently paused analyzing WiFi location data for warehouse employees but may revisit options later.

In summary, Amazon fulfillment centers do not provide public guest WiFi access but rather use wireless networks for inventory control and monitoring staff.

Many Amazon Devices Connect via WiFi

Echo smart speakers, Fire TV streaming devices, Ring cameras, Kindle e-readers, and more utilize your home WiFi connection to access the internet.

Here‘s a comparison of the WiFi standards supported across popular Amazon devices:

Amazon Device WiFi Connectivity 

Device           WiFi Bands       Standards
Echo Dot 5       Dual-band       802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Fire TV Stick    Dual-band       802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Ring Cam         Dual-band       802.11 b/g/n  
Kindle Paperwhite Dual-band      802.11b/g/n

When setting up any of these devices, you‘ll need to connect to your 2.4GHz or 5GHz home WiFi network for full functionality. Only the latest Echo and Fire TV models include WiFi 6 for faster speeds.

Notably absent is cellular network support. So if you lose internet connectivity in your home, even Alexa goes offline!

Conclusion: Limited WiFi Services Available

In conclusion, while Amazon is growing its eero mesh WiFi router business and Sidewalk IoT network, options for public WiFi access are limited.

Amazon fulfillment centers don‘t provide guest WiFi but use WiFi to increase efficiency. Echo, Fire TV, and Kindle devices also rely on your home WiFi connection.

As demand grows for wireless access on-the-go, this overview analyzed the WiFi capabilities Amazon currently offers to consumers — which focus primarily on improving home and portable device connectivity.