Overview
- Amazon filed with the FCC on Monday for permission to deploy up to 5,105 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites to deliver direct‑to‑device (D2D) services using spectrum tied to its pending Globalstar purchase.
- The company says the D2D system will operate in five orbital shells at roughly 510–580 km, use L‑ and S‑band links to devices and Ka/V bands to ground gateways, and perform signal processing in orbit to improve throughput.
- The plan builds on Amazon’s announced April deal to acquire Globalstar, which currently supplies the satellite link behind Apple’s Emergency SOS, and lists partners including Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel and Australia’s NBN.
- Amazon’s proposal positions it as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile and other D2D entrants while facing practical limits from FCC review, launch capacity and Amazon’s existing Kuiper deployment obligations.
- If regulators approve and the Globalstar deal closes in 2027, Amazon plans to begin launches in 2028 with the aim of extending basic voice, messaging and emergency connectivity to people, fleets and remote worksites that lack reliable cell service.