Amazon’s Leo Satellite Constellation Proposal
Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has submitted an application to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking approval for a new satellite constellation under its Leo project. The proposal outlines the deployment of up to 5,105 satellites that will provide direct‑to‑device voice, messaging, data and emergency services to users in locations where terrestrial cellular networks are unavailable.
The company plans to commence satellite deployment in 2028 and intends to collaborate with mobile network operators worldwide. The Leo system will operate on the mobile satellite spectrum owned by Globalstar (NYSE:GSAT), which Amazon agreed to acquire earlier in the year. Globalstar currently supports device‑to‑device connectivity for millions of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) users, offering emergency messaging, location sharing and roadside assistance beyond the reach of conventional networks.
By moving beyond its existing broadband‑focused satellite activities, Amazon aims to compete directly in the direct‑to‑device market against established players such as SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) and Lynk Global, all of which are developing comparable satellite‑to‑phone services.
This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.