June 21 (Reuters) - Comcast's ( CMCSA ) enterprise

services unit signed a deal with SpaceX's Starlink to provide

satellite-based connectivity to business customers in regions

with limited network access, the global media and technology

firm said on Friday.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The deal is the first of its kind between a network operator

and a satellite network to provide space-based connectivity to

enterprise customers.

The move further cements Starlink's lead in satellite-based

communication networks, ahead of emerging competition from

Amazon.com's ( AMZN ) Kuiper and Viasat ( VSAT ), among others.

CONTEXT

The Elon Musk-led rocket maker operates the largest

constellation of communication satellites and provides internet

connectivity to residential and business customers, largely in

locations with limited or no access to the internet.

Starlink also has a partnership with T-Mobile to

provide its customers with satellite-based connectivity in

locations with no cellular reception.

BY THE NUMBERS

Comcast ( CMCSA ) said in April it had about 2.5 million business

customers for broadband in the United States at the end of the

first quarter, raking in about $2.41 billion in revenue.