← Back

Wire · technology

Amazon's Leo proposes satellite constellation for direct-to-phone service

Published

28 July 2026

Topic

technology

Sectors

Telecom & Connectivity

Geography

United States

Source

Read at telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Verified

Fusion42 · 28 July 2026 · Fusion42 review

Amazon Leo has filed an FCC application to deploy a constellation of up to 5,105 satellites for direct-to-device voice, messaging, and data connectivity to smartphones, leveraging Globalstar's mobile satellite spectrum acquired earlier this year and beginning deployment in 2028. The move intensifies competition with SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Lynk Global in the satellite-to-phone market, though rocket launch capacity constraints remain a critical bottleneck.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Telecom & Connectivity. Wire is Fusion42's founder-focused intelligence feed: each story is connected to the funds and startups it names — every one with a live profile on Raise or Scout — so founders can follow the capital and the momentum behind the headline rather than just the headline itself. Wire analysis is one of the live surfaces Arthur reasons over.

◆ The Wire takeaway

Amazon just bought spectrum and filed for 5,100 satellites to reach phones where networks don't—and deployment starts in 2028. If you make antennas, modems, ground stations or RF components for satellite-phone systems, you now have a second major buyer with committed capital and launch slots.

Related on Wire

Topics

Telecom & Connectivitysatcom-leodirect-to-devicefcc-filingspectrum-acquisitionlaunch-capacity