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Amazon is preparing to take smartphone connectivity beyond traditional mobile networks. The tech giant has proposed a satellite-based direct-to-device (D2D) service that could allow compatible smartphones to make calls, send messages, and access mobile data even in areas without cellular coverage.
According to filings submitted to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Amazon plans to deploy a constellation of up to 5,105 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites under its Amazon Leo initiative. If approved, the rollout is expected to begin in 2028.
Unlike Amazon’s existing satellite broadband service, which requires dedicated ground equipment, the new system is designed to connect directly with compatible smartphones. The company says the network will complement, rather than replace, existing mobile infrastructure.
The following services would include calling, messaging, mobile internet, and emergency services. Amazon plans to partner with telecom providers globally to enable connectivity in areas where it is not easy to build mobile network infrastructure.
According to the company, this technology may prove useful for industries like logistics and IoT applications.
Amazon’s system of satellites will be operating in five different orbital planes to offer coverage not only to inhabited zones but also to high and near-polar latitudes.
L-band and S-band frequencies will enable communication between the smartphones and the satellites. Ka-band and V-band frequencies will connect the satellites to the internet via ground infrastructure.
Additionally, Amazon intends to process the network traffic in space, thus decreasing potential signal interference.
Amazon has identified India as one of its priority markets as it expands its satellite ambitions. The company has cited India’s rapidly growing digital economy and the need to improve connectivity in underserved regions as key reasons for its interest.
The proposal also intensifies competition in the fast-growing satellite connectivity market, where companies including SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile and Lynk Global are developing direct-to-smartphone services. If approved, Amazon’s network would mark another step towards making satellite communication a mainstream feature for future smartphones.
