Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105-satellite direct-to-mobile network

Amazon’s Leo subsidiary has submitted a formal application to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy a constellation of up to 5,105 low Earth orbit satellites. The proposed network is designed to deliver direct-to-mobile services, including voice, messaging, data and emergency communications, to standard smartphones operating outside the range of traditional terrestrial cell towers.

The initiative marks a significant expansion of Amazon’s existing space infrastructure. The new constellation would be nearly double the size of the company’s initial Leo broadband network, which comprises approximately 3,200 satellites. Amazon Leo, founded in 2019, has already launched more than 390 satellites as part of its first-generation broadband service and plans to commence the deployment of the new direct-to-mobile constellation in 2028.

In addition to the mobile service application, the company intends to begin rolling out fixed service later this year. To support these efforts, Amazon has secured partnerships with several telecommunications operators, including Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel and Australia’s National Broadband Network. The specific terms of these agreements and the exact timeline for the fixed service rollout remain undefined.

The filing comes amidst ongoing regulatory and competitive friction with SpaceX, which currently has thousands of satellites in orbit and filed an application earlier this year for a one-million-satellite constellation. Amazon has formally requested the FCC deny SpaceX’s application, characterising the rival’s plan as a lofty ambition rather than a real plan.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded to Amazon’s petition on X, urging the tech giant to focus on its own satellite development efforts rather than filing petitions against competitors. The timeline for the FCC’s approval of Amazon’s 5,105-satellite application has not been specified.