Amazon Leo’s plan to construct and deploy a direct-to-device (D2D) system comprised of greater than 5,000 satellites is about to get its closeup on the FCC.
On Wednesday (August 19), the FCC accepted Amazon Leo’s plan (PDF obtain) for the D2D service and established a set of deadlines and intervals for petitions, feedback and replies. “The Bureau finds the Utility, upon preliminary evaluate, to be acceptable for submitting and seeks touch upon the Utility and related requests for waiver,” the company stated.
Amazon Leo filed its proposal in July, outlining a plan to construct out a D2D system of 5,105 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that may complement the D2D satellites Amazon will receive through its pending acquisition of Globalstar. These new LEO satellites can be launched at altitudes ranging between 510 kilometers and 580 kilometers.
Amazon Leo expects its new D2D satellites to have a “nominal operational lifetime” of six to eight years, relying on the orbit. The satellite tv for pc operator will actively deorbit them after they attain finish of life.
Amazon Leo’s proposed system can be backed by D2D-optimized satellites with service hyperlinks within the 1.6GHz-2.4GHz band, supporting feeder hyperlinks, telemetry, monitoring and command hyperlinks within the Ka-band and V-band. Amazon Leo stated it’s going to use further, out there L-band and S-band frequencies to supply service hyperlinks exterior the US.
Amazon Leo intends to deploy 5 orbital shells for D2D, with every optimized to serve a special a part of the planet. The three mid-latitude shells will cowl heavily-populated areas and the 2 high-latitude shells will lengthen service towards the planet’s extra distant areas (together with polar areas). Amazon Leo additionally reiterated that the approaching D2D constellation will work Apple units (together with iPhones and Apple Watch fashions) and complement a broadband community that’s anticipated to launch commercially later this yr.
Amazon’s D2D ambitions will get a jump-start when the Globalstar deal closes, and proceed to supply an alternate or complement to D2D techniques from firms corresponding to SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile and Elveo (created by the combo of Lynk and Omnispace), and the just lately shaped D2D three way partnership from AT&T, T-Cell and Verizon.
Amazon Leo has beforehand stated that it expects to launch its personal D2D system someday in 2028, citing use instances corresponding to emergency messaging, in-vehicle connectivity and IoT functions.
Amazon’s pending deal for Globalstar obtained a sole objection (from an erstwhile associate of Globalstar referred to as Yippy). It isn’t clear how a lot static Amazon Leo’s D2D plan will get, however we’ll know extra within the coming weeks.
The FCC stated preliminary feedback and petitions are due on September 17, with responses to feedback and oppositions due on September 28. Replies to responses and oppositions are due October 5. These filings can be made within the FCC docket (quantity 26-866).
