Amazon asks FCC to approve over 5,100 new Amazon Leo satellites

Amazon has applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy more than 5,100 low-Earth orbit satellites for its direct-to-device internet service, according to a report by Advanced Television. The network aims to merge Amazon Leo infrastructure with Globalstar spectrum and ground assets to handle everything from emergency messaging to industrial IoT.

The initiative, which evolved out of Project Kuiper, relies on Amazon's pending $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar, announced earlier this year. However, regulatory hurdles loom. Amazon wants exclusive use of specific frequencies currently held by competitor Iridium, which is itself in the middle of an $8 billion acquisition process by Rocket Lab.

The system's rollout timeline faces practical headwinds. Earlier this year, Amazon's launch schedules slipped after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded, and Blue Origin subsequently stated it will not rebuild the destroyed launch pad in its previous form. Meanwhile, Amazon has also signed an agreement with South African provider Herotel to pilot Amazon Leo services in rural areas by 2027.

Source: habr