Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy said the company is continuing to deepen its investment in rural America through major expansions in delivery infrastructure and broadband connectivity initiatives to improve access for underserved communities.
Speaking during an interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Jassy said Amazon is committing $4 billion to expand its last-mile delivery network for rural customers. He noted that the company has already more than doubled same-day deliveries to rural areas so far this year, reflecting rising demand from consumers living outside major metropolitan markets.
According to Jassy, Amazon plans to continue building and adding delivery stations across smaller towns and rural regions as part of a broader strategy to improve delivery speed, increase operational efficiency, and provide a more consistent customer experience nationwide. He emphasized that many rural customers historically faced longer shipping times and fewer delivery options than those in urban and suburban areas.
Jassy said Amazon believes rural consumers should have access to the same level of e-commerce convenience, fast delivery, and product selection as in larger cities. He added that expanding the company’s logistics footprint in less densely populated areas remains a long-term priority as online shopping adoption continues to grow across the United States.
The investment also reflects Amazon’s broader effort to strengthen its transportation and fulfillment infrastructure while creating jobs in rural communities through the construction and operation of additional delivery facilities and logistics hubs.
Beyond logistics and e-commerce operations, Jassy highlighted Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite initiative, Amazon Leo, as another key component of the company’s strategy to support rural communities and improve internet accessibility worldwide. The satellite program is intended to expand broadband coverage to areas where traditional internet infrastructure has been difficult or economically challenging to deploy.
Jassy said reliable broadband connectivity remains unavailable for many communities globally, particularly in rural and remote regions, limiting access to online commerce, education, entertainment, telehealth services, and digital business opportunities. He noted that inadequate internet infrastructure continues to create barriers for individuals and small businesses seeking to fully participate in the digital economy.
According to Jassy, Amazon’s broadband initiatives are designed to help address what he described as a growing digital divide between highly connected populations and underserved communities that still lack reliable high-speed internet access. He said improving connectivity can create broader economic opportunities, enable remote learning and work capabilities, and provide greater access to digital tools and services that many consumers increasingly rely on in everyday life.
Jassy added that Amazon sees both logistics infrastructure and broadband access as critical long-term investments that can help support economic growth, improve customer experiences, and expand access to technology and services for rural communities across the country and around the world.
