Amazon wants to deploy 5,105 satellites for direct-to-mobile service
Amazon's Leo subsidiary has applied to the FCC to launch up to 5,105 satellites to provide voice, messaging, data, and emergency services to mobile devices beyond cell tower range, with deployment starting in 2028.
Amazon Leo, a subsidiary of Amazon founded in 2019, has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking approval to deploy up to 5,105 satellites. This is part of the company's plan to establish a direct-to-mobile service.
According to a press release, Amazon Leo intends to begin deploying its low Earth orbit satellite constellation in 2028. The application aims to create a satellite network capable of delivering voice calls, messaging, data, and emergency services to smartphones and other mobile devices that are outside the coverage area of traditional cell towers.
So far, Amazon Leo has launched more than 390 satellites as part of its first-generation broadband satellites. The company stated that it will start rolling out "fixed service" later this year and has already secured partnerships with several telecom operators, including Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel, and Australia's National Broadband Network.
Amazon Leo will directly compete with SpaceX, which filed its own FCC application earlier this year requesting permission to launch a constellation of one million satellites. The two tech giants have already clashed on this matter, with Amazon asking the FCC to deny SpaceX's application, calling it a "lofty ambition rather than a real plan." However, FCC Chair Brendan Carr responded on X that Amazon should focus on its own satellite efforts instead of filing petitions against other companies.
