Morningstar

Amazon Seeks Green Light to Deploy Thousands of Satellites for Leo Venture

Provided by Dow Jones

By Katherine Hamilton 




  Amazon has requested permission from regulators to deploy up to 5,105 satellites to fuel its planned cell phone connectivity platform Leo. 



  The satellites would provide service for smartphones and other mobile devices in areas beyond the reach of cell towers. 



  The tech conglomerate filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to launch and operate Amazon Leo's direct-to-device system with the goal of deployment starting in 2028. 



  The application follows Amazon's deal in April to acquire the satellite operator Globalstar's operations, infrastructure and assets in an $11 billion deal. Globalstar's wireless assets are expected to allow Amazon to deploy its own satellite fleet. 



  Amazon Leo aims to compete with Starlink, the satellite network owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Starlink's fleet comprises around 10,000 operational satellites, and the company plans to launch thousands more in the coming years. 



  Leo has more than 390 satellites currently in orbit, it said Monday. 



  Leo's direct-to-device system is meant to complement Leo's core broadband systems. Along with providing cell service to individuals, the system is designed to provide uninterrupted communications for disaster responders and remote operations across company work sites. 



  Leo plans to distribute the satellites across five orbital shells to reach different parts of the planet. Three of the shells provide coverage in heavily populated regions, while the other two extend toward the polar areas. 





  Write to Katherine Hamilton at katherine.hamilton@wsj.com 





  (END) Dow Jones Newswires



  July 27, 2026 12:02 ET (16:02 GMT)


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