Amazon's building a 5,000-satellite phone network to rival Starlink
Following the recent launch of its satellite-based internet service, Amazon's now aiming to provide direct-to-cell connectivity in the next few years.
The tech giant announced it's filed an FCC application to launch a massive new constellation of 5,105 satellites starting in 2028. With this upcoming Leo Direct-to-Device (D2D) System, it'll make voice, messaging, data, and emergency services available on your existing devices when you're beyond the reach of cell towers.
Amazon had first begun deploying communications service satellites back in 2025, starting with a small bunch of them to enable internet connectivity to subscribers who had the company's Leo on-ground receivers – similar to Starlink. This broadband service is being built out with a constellation of 3,200 satellites, of which about 375 are presently in low earth orbit.
In April, it inked a deal to acquire Globalstar’s existing satellite operations, infrastructure, and global spectrum licenses with global authorizations. Between...
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