Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105‑satellite Direct‑to‑Device network launching 2028
Amazon has filed an application with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to launch a low‑Earth‑orbit constellation of up to 5,105 satellites that would deliver voice, messaging, data and emergency communications directly to mobile devices, bypassing terrestrial towers. The company plans to begin deployment in 2028 and will use spectrum and other assets acquired from Globalstar as part of an $11 billion purchase expected to close in 2027.
The proposed network, called Amazon Leo Direct‑to‑Device (Leo D2D), would be roughly twice the size of the original 3,200‑satellite Leo plan and would operate in several orbital shells between 510 and 580 km altitude. Amazon has announced partnership agreements with mobile operators such as Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel and Australia’s National Broadband Network to offer the service worldwide. As of early July, more than 375 Leo satellites have already been launched and about 390 are in orbit, providing the foundation for the new D2D layer.
If approved, the system will compete with SpaceX’s Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell and other emerging satellite‑mobile services, targeting remote and underserved regions, disaster‑response scenarios, fleet management and IoT connectivity.
Entities: Amazon.com, Inc. · Apple · Apple Inc. · Federal Communications Commission · Globalstar · Globalstar Corp. · Globalstar, Inc. · Project Leo · SpaceX · Vodafone Group plc
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The FCC has not yet approved the proposal and it remains pending regulatory review. (a9bab92a-f166-4ec4-a757-888f9d04614f)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Amazon plans to start launching the constellation in 2028. (ecd0dbcd-ca1d-47e7-b4a0-9a0f5b832789, ebb1418f-b9a8-4c34-a55e-02e72e72fc05, a9bab92a-f166-4ec4-a757-888f9d04614f)
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 375 satellites have already been launched as part of Amazon's broader Leo program. (Amazon)
- [● 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. (existing)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The network will use spectrum and assets acquired from Globalstar, which Amazon bought for about $11 billion. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] The proposed constellation will provide voice, messaging, data and emergency communications directly to devices in areas without terrestrial coverage. (Amazon)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Amazon's proposal puts it in competition with SpaceX's Starlink, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global for satellite‑to‑cell services. (ecd0dbcd-ca1d-47e7-b4a0-9a0f5b832789, ebb1418f-b9a8-4c34-a55e-02e72e72fc05, a9bab92a-f166-4ec4-a757-888f9d04614f)
- [● 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. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Amazon's original Leo constellation planned for about 3,200 satellites, with more than 375 launched as of early July.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The network will also support disaster response, fleet management, remote IoT connectivity and emergency messaging.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Amazon acquired Globalstar for about $11 billion, gaining its spectrum and satellite assets.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Amazon plans partnerships with mobile operators such as Vodafone, DIRECTV, Herotel and Australia's NBN to offer the service.