Amazon just threw a big number at the FCC: 5,105 satellites. That’s how many its Leo subsidiary wants to put into low Earth orbit as part of a plan to beam voice, messaging, data, and emergency services directly to your phone, no cell tower required. As reported by Engadget, the FCC application targets a 2028 launch window for the constellation.
Right now, Amazon Leo has around 390 first-generation satellites in orbit and plans to start rolling out fixed broadband service before the year is out. Partners already on board include Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel, and Australia’s National Broadband Network. So the commercial side is moving. But 5,105 satellites is a massive leap from where things stand today.
The real story here is the rivalry with SpaceX. Starlink already has thousands of satellites flying and recently filed an FCC application to launch one million more. Amazon actually asked the FCC to deny that application, calling it a “lofty ambition rather than a real plan.” FCC chair Brendan Carr fired back on X, telling Amazon to focus on its own work instead of filing petitions against competitors. Ouch.
Direct-to-mobile satellite service is a real trend right now. Apple started it with its emergency SOS feature, and T-Mobile has been working with SpaceX on satellite texting for years. Amazon jumping in adds serious weight to the idea that satellites will eventually fill the gaps that cell networks never could. Whether Leo can actually pull off 5,105 satellites by the end of the decade is the real question.