Amazon Leo Direct-to-Phone Satellites Seek FCC Approval

Kuiper Systems LLC filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission on July 24, 2026, seeking approval for an Amazon Leo direct-to-phone satellite network. The system would use Globalstar spectrum to deliver voice, messaging, and data directly to unmodified smartphones, expanding Amazon.com Inc.’s mobile connectivity.

FCC Application and Satellite Network Design

Kuiper Systems LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon Services LLC and operator of Amazon Leo, requested authority to deploy up to 5,105 low-Earth-orbit satellites. These satellites would orbit between 510 and 580 kilometers above Earth, with operational lifespans of about 6 to 8 years.

The filing describes a direct-to-device (D2D) network designed to connect unmodified 4G and 5G smartphones and other mobile devices. It aims to provide voice, messaging, mobile broadband data, emergency calling, and Internet of Things (IoT) services, including fleet tracking, especially in areas lacking terrestrial cellular coverage.

Service links would operate in Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) bands between 1.6 and 2.4 GHz, specifically within Globalstar’s licensed L-band and S-band allocations. Feeder and telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) links would use Ka-band and V-band frequencies. The application also seeks additional L- and S-band spectrum for use outside the U.S.

Globalstar Integration and Deployment Timeline

Amazon announced in April 2026 its plan to acquire Globalstar Inc. for about $11.6 billion, with the deal expected to close in 2027. The D2D network is designed to operate alongside Globalstar’s existing low-Earth-orbit constellation and its planned next-generation C-3 system, leveraging Globalstar’s MSS licenses and ground infrastructure.

Amazon Leo currently holds FCC authorization for an initial broadband constellation of roughly 3,232 to 3,236 satellites orbiting at 590 to 630 kilometers. The company must complete full deployment by July 30, 2029. The FCC granted a waiver extending the mid-2026 deployment milestone, and as of July 2026, Amazon reported about 390 to 396 satellites in orbit, sufficient to begin initial broadband service later this year.

Satellite deployment for the new D2D constellation is planned to start in 2028. The filing frames the network as complementary to Amazon Leo’s first- and second-generation fixed-antenna broadband systems, with phased integration between fixed-antenna broadband and direct-to-device voice and data services.

Competitive Positioning and Regulatory Review

The application positions Amazon Leo’s D2D network as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink Direct-to-Cell initiative. Amazon intends to partner with mobile network operators worldwide to integrate supplemental satellite coverage with terrestrial networks. The filing highlights priority users described as unserved or underserved, including remote, rural, disaster-affected, and emergency-response customers.

The FCC will review the application under its Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) framework, which governs satellite systems providing supplemental mobile coverage on terrestrial mobile bands. This framework addresses spectrum coordination, interference protections for terrestrial operators, and orbital debris mitigation. Authorization under SCS is required before launches and commercial operations can begin.

If the FCC approves the plan and Amazon completes the Globalstar acquisition, the proposal would significantly expand Amazon’s mobile-connectivity footprint. It would establish a multi-year rollout and replacement cycle aligned with satellite lifespans and the acquisition timeline.