Overview
- Amazon disclosed late July 24 that it filed with the Federal Communications Commission to deploy a 5,105‑satellite low‑Earth‑orbit system to send voice, text, data and emergency messages directly to phones and IoT devices.
- The proposal relies on Globalstar‑assigned spectrum in the 1.6 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands and is linked to Amazon’s announced agreement to buy Globalstar for roughly $11 billion, a transaction expected to close in 2027.
- The filing specifies operational altitudes of 510–580 km, inclinations of about 56–84 degrees, launch into 440 km parking orbits, six‑ to eight‑year satellite lifetimes, and an end‑of‑life lowering to ~360 km for rapid natural decay.
- Amazon plans to operate the D2D satellites together with its Amazon Leo broadband satellites and acquired Globalstar assets, using Ka/V‑band links for gateways and control and listing orbital slots for more than 11,000 spacecraft while capping deployment at 5,105.
- Significant hurdles remain before broad service can start: the Globalstar acquisition must close, the FCC must grant deployment authority, and Amazon needs a major launch program to scale from its current fleet to the multi‑thousand‑satellite system, which will affect competition and device partnerships.