Amazon Leo readies 5K satellites for D2D plan

Amazon Leo applied to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy up to 5,105 direct-to-device (D2D) satellites, advancing its ambition to deliver voice, messaging, data and emergency connectivity services to standard mobile devices.

In a regulatory filing made late on 24 July, Amazon Leo outlined plans for a low Earth orbit (LEO) D2D constellation operating across five distinct orbital shells.

Spacecraft deployment is scheduled to begin in 2028 and the birds would operate alongside the tech giant’s first- and second-generation broadband satellite systems, and legacy Globalstar constellations.

In its FCC filing, Amazon Leo explained its D2D system would communicate directly with existing mobile hardware using dedicated L-band and S-band spectrum links.

Feeder links connecting satellites to ground stations are to use higher-capacity Ka-band and V-band frequencies for internet backhaul.

Unlike bent-pipe satellite architectures which relay uncompressed signals to Earth, Amazon Leo’s D2D units feature digital signal processing the company stated would “improve performance”. It is also employing optical links between the birds, and beam hopping and digital beamforming to direct signals.

Amazon Leo stated the technologies optimise spectrum efficiency and minimise battery drain on consumer devices.

Regulatory friction
The filing comes during a time of heightened regulatory tension: FCC chair Brendan Carr scolded Amazon Leo earlier this year for attempting to block SpaceX moves, urging the company to focus on its own constellation rather than challenging others.

Despite Carr’s criticism, Amazon Leo is carving out a D2D path by integrating dedicated MSS spectrum acquired from Globalstar with Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure.

Amazon Leo emphasised its D2D architecture is engineered to complement terrestrial networks by covering dead zones. The company has lined up deals with operators including Vodafone Group, DirecTV, Herotel, and Australia’s NBN.

It highlighted an existing deal to provide SoS, messaging, location and roadside assistance features to compatible Apple devices, and stated further collaboration between the pair is in the cards.

The D2D regulatory push builds on rapid operational progress for Amazon Leo’s core satellite broadband network. United Launch Alliance deployed 29 additional satellites on an Atlas V rocket earlier this month, taking the total birds in orbit to 390 birds as the company targets an initial service launch later this year.

In addition to a possible mobile play by SpaceX, Amazon Leo faces competition from a satellite joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile US and Verizon to close coverage gaps.

The US operators are also backing rival D2D players, with AT&T and Verizon working with AST SpaceMobile, and T-Mobile SpaceX’s Starlink.