Amazon Files FCC Application for 5,105-Satellite D2D Network
Amazon Leo has filed an application with the FCC to deploy a new direct-to-device (D2D) satellite constellation of up to 5,105 low Earth orbit satellites, with deployment targeted to begin in 2028.
The proposed Amazon Leo Direct-to-Device system is designed to connect compatible smartphones, IoT devices and other mobile equipment directly to satellites, extending voice, messaging, data and emergency services beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile networks.
The filing follows Amazon’s planned acquisition of Globalstar, announced earlier this year, which would give the company access to mobile satellite spectrum in the L-band and S-band. The transaction is expected to close in 2027, ahead of the proposed D2D deployment.
Amazon said the new constellation would operate alongside Globalstar’s existing satellite systems and Amazon Leo’s separate broadband constellation. The D2D satellites would use mobile satellite spectrum to reach user devices, while gateway and control links would rely on Ka-band and V-band capacity.
The system is planned across five orbital shells at altitudes between roughly 510 and 580 kilometres, with coverage designed for both mid-latitude population centres and higher-latitude regions. Amazon said the satellites will process signals in orbit, use optical inter-satellite links and support intelligent routing across the network to improve performance.
The company is positioning the D2D service as a complement to mobile operators rather than a replacement for terrestrial networks. Target use cases include remote coverage, emergency response, fleet management, connected vehicles, remote industrial operations, supply chain monitoring and IoT deployments.
The application marks a significant escalation of Amazon’s ambitions in satellite-to-phone connectivity, placing it more directly in the emerging D2D race alongside Starlink Mobile and other satellite operators. It also reflects the growing importance of spectrum ownership, with Globalstar’s licences giving Amazon a potential route into regulated mobile satellite services.