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Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105‑satellite direct‑to‑device network
Amazon filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch a low‑Earth‑orbit constellation of up to 5,105 satellites that would provide direct‑to‑device (D2D) voice, messaging, data and emergency services. The deployment is slated to begin in 2028, pending regulatory approval. The network will operate using the radio spectrum owned by Globalstar, which Amazon agreed to acquire for roughly $11 billion, and will be integrated with Amazon’s existing Leo broadband fleet of about 390 satellites. Amazon has announced partnerships with mobile operators such as Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel and Australia’s National Broadband Network, and a cooperation agreement with Apple to support iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features. The plan positions Amazon against competitors including SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global, while highlighting launch‑capacity constraints and a recent FCC exemption from a 1,600‑satellite first‑generation launch requirement.
The FCC has not yet granted the license, and the filing notes that the request also seeks permission to use additional spectrum bands outside the United States. If approved, the service would extend mobile connectivity to remote, underserved or disaster‑affected regions worldwide.
Entities
Amazon.com, Inc. · Apple · Apple Inc. · Federal Communications Commission · Globalstar · Globalstar Corp. · Globalstar, Inc. · Project Leo · Space Exploration Technologies Corp. · SpaceX · Vodafone Group plc
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FCC has not yet approved the proposal and it remains pending regulatory review. telesintese.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] Amazon plans to start launching the constellation in 2028. ubirataonline.com.br · telesintese.com.br
- [DISPUTED] More than 375 satellites have already been launched as part of Amazon's broader Leo program. ubirataonline.com.br · dailyguardian.ca · spacenews.com · telesintese.com.br
- [● 7 SOURCES] Amazon submitted a request to the FCC for authorization of a satellite constellation of up to 5,105 satellites for direct‑to‑device services. ubirataonline.com.br · telesintese.com.br · dailyguardian.ca · es.digitaltrends.com · www.intomobile.com · +1 more
- [DISPUTED] The network will use spectrum and assets acquired from Globalstar, which Amazon bought for about $11 billion. ubirataonline.com.br · telesintese.com.br · dailyguardian.ca · spacenews.com · es.digitaltrends.com · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The proposed constellation will provide voice, messaging, data and emergency communications directly to devices in areas without terrestrial coverage. ubirataonline.com.br · telesintese.com.br · dailyguardian.ca · spacenews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Amazon's proposal puts it in competition with SpaceX's Starlink, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global for satellite‑to‑cell services. ubirataonline.com.br · telesintese.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] The satellites will use Globalstar spectrum at 1.6 GHz and 2.4 GHz, plus additional 1.5 GHz and 1.6 GHz bands outside the United States. spacenews.com · techcrunch.com · dailyguardian.ca · es.digitaltrends.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Amazon's original Leo constellation planned for about 3,200 satellites, with more than 375 launched as of early July. dailyguardian.ca
- [● 2 SOURCES] The network will also support disaster response, fleet management, remote IoT connectivity and emergency messaging. dailyguardian.ca · cordcuttersnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Amazon acquired Globalstar for about $11 billion, gaining its spectrum and satellite assets. techcrunch.com · spacenews.com · convergenciadigital.com.br · dailyguardian.ca
- [● 4 SOURCES] Amazon plans partnerships with mobile operators such as Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel and Australia's NBN to offer the service. cordcuttersnews.com · convergenciadigital.com.br · dailyguardian.ca