Amazon Leo receives FCC approval for satellite deployment

Amazon has received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy more than 5,000 direct-to-device (D2D) satellites through its Leo project. This technology aims to connect ordinary mobile phones directly to satellites, bypassing terrestrial infrastructure to provide connectivity in remote areas and disaster zones.

Despite regulatory progress, Amazon faces deployment challenges. While the company has deployed 396 satellites, only 299 have reached their operational orbit of approximately 600 kilometers. Amazon officials stated the delay in service is due to waiting for satellites to reach assigned orbits to ensure sufficient network capacity and coverage.

The D2D market is highly competitive. While American companies currently hold 45.9 percent of global D2D connections, China is testing its own technology and planning large-scale megaconstellations. Amazon's Leo also faces a significant scale gap compared to SpaceX's Starlink, which operates roughly 10,000 satellites.