Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105 direct-to-device satellites
The e-commerce giant aims to bring voice and data services to standard smartphones via a new LEO constellation starting in 2028.
Amazon has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch and operate a constellation of up to 5,105 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The initiative focuses on direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, a move that would allow standard smartphones to connect to space without the need for specialized hardware.
According to the filing, the system is designed to provide voice, messaging, data, and emergency services directly to mobile devices. The proposed constellation will operate across five orbital shells at altitudes ranging between 510 and 580 kilometers. Amazon expects the deployment of this D2D network to begin in 2028.
Strategic Infrastructure
This D2D effort is a distinct layer of Amazon's space ambitions, separate from its broader Project Kuiper broadband constellation. To secure the necessary technical capabilities, Amazon is acquiring Globalstar for $11.57 billion. This acquisition is specifically intended to provide the L-band and S-band spectrum required for the satellites to communicate with terrestrial mobile devices.
Amazon is already active in the satellite-to-phone space through a partnership with Apple to power satellite features, such as Emergency SOS, on iPhones and Apple Watches. By adding its own dedicated D2D constellation, Amazon is positioning itself to compete with other major players, including SpaceX's Starlink Mobile and its partnership with T-Mobile.
Industry Implications
By moving into D2D, Amazon is attempting to eliminate global "dead zones," enabling standard 4G and 5G phones to maintain connectivity in remote areas. This expands Amazon's ecosystem from fixed broadband into the mobile market, leveraging Globalstar's existing spectrum licenses to facilitate global reach.
Despite the scale of the project, Amazon has indicated it does not intend to replace existing mobile carriers. In its FCC filing, the company stated it would partner with mobile network operators rather than compete with them directly, framing the D2D system as a supplement to existing terrestrial networks.
What's Next
Industry observers will be watching for the final FCC approval and the successful integration of Globalstar's spectrum assets. While the D2D constellation is slated for 2028, Amazon continues to race toward its Project Kuiper deadline of July 2029, by which time it must have its first 3,232 broadband satellites in orbit. The synergy between these two distinct satellite layers will likely determine how effectively Amazon can challenge the current dominance of Starlink in the space-based connectivity market.