Amazon and SpaceX compete for satellite mobile connectivity dominance

Amazon and SpaceX are intensifying their competition to dominate the mobile satellite connectivity market through strategic spectrum acquisitions and infrastructure expansion.

Reports suggest Amazon may pursue an acquisition of Viasat to secure international spectrum holdings and geostationary satellite assets. This move would complement Amazon’s existing efforts, such as its $11.5 billion Globalstar deal, to provide direct mobile connectivity without traditional telecom operators. Such an acquisition would provide Amazon with established spectrum access and commercial relationships, potentially putting pressure on competitors like AST SpaceMobile.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is advancing its Starlink Mobile service. The company has reached an agreement to purchase 14 MHz of 800 MHz band spectrum from Grain Management, a deal currently awaiting FCC approval. Additionally, the FCC has partially authorized a constellation of 15,000 satellites intended for SpaceX’s mobile services. These developments highlight a broader industry race to control the frequencies necessary for direct-to-cell satellite broadband.