Amazon’s Leo subsidiary has launched more than 390 satellites so far.
While SpaceX already has thousands of satellites in Earth’s orbit, Amazon is eager to advance its plans to establish its own satellite constellation. Amazon Leo, a subsidiary of the tech giant founded in 2019, has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to launch up to 5,105 satellites as part of its plan to bring direct service to mobile devices.
As noted in a press release, Amazon Leo plans to begin deploying its satellite constellation in low Earth orbit in 2028. Its application to the FCC seeks to create a satellite network that provides a connection to voice, messaging, data, and emergency services to smartphones and other mobile devices that are beyond the range of traditional cell tower connections. As Amazon Leo seeks to launch thousands of satellites into space, its current track record includes more than 390 satellites deployed as part of its first-generation broadband satellites. The company said it would begin rolling out a “landline service” later this year and has already entered into partnerships with several telecoms operators, including Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel and Australia’s National Broadband Network.
Amazon Leo will compete directly with SpaceX, which filed its own application with the FCC requesting the launch of a million-satellite constellation earlier this year. The two tech giants have already clashed over this issue, with Amazon asking the FCC to deny SpaceX’s application and calling it a “noble ambition rather than a real plan.” However, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr responded on X that Amazon should focus on its own satellite efforts instead of filing petitions against other companies.
