Amazon has proposed deploying 5,105 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as part of a new direct-to-device mobile network. According to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the constellation is designed to let compatible smartphones access voice calls, messaging, mobile data, and emergency services in areas without traditional cellular coverage.
If approved, the network could also strengthen Apple’s satellite ecosystem through Amazon’s planned acquisition of Globalstar, although neither company has announced any changes to existing iPhone satellite features.
The network is designed to expand coverage in remote areas
According to the FCC filing, Amazon plans to divide the constellation into five orbital shells.
The company says three shells will primarily serve regions with the highest population density, while the remaining two shells will focus on improving coverage across higher latitudes, including remote and polar regions where reliable connectivity is often limited.
Amazon says compatible smartphones will be able to access voice calling, messaging, mobile data, and emergency services over the satellite network without relying on traditional cellular towers.
The company also plans to integrate the new constellation with Globalstar, the satellite operator it is currently in the process of acquiring. If regulators approve the acquisition, Globalstar’s existing satellites and ground infrastructure will become part of Amazon’s broader direct-to-device satellite network.
Apple’s satellite services could benefit
Apple already relies on Globalstar’s satellite network to power several iPhone features, including Emergency SOS via Satellite, Messages via Satellite, Find My via Satellite, and Roadside Assistance via Satellite in supported countries and regions.
If Amazon completes its acquisition of Globalstar and successfully deploys its planned 5,105-satellite constellation, it could significantly expand the satellite infrastructure supporting those services in the future.
However, neither Amazon nor Apple has announced any plans to expand or modify Apple’s existing satellite features, and there is no confirmation that iPhone services will immediately benefit from the proposed network.
The proposal still requires approval from the FCC, while Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar remains subject to regulatory review and is currently expected to close in 2027.
If both the acquisition and the satellite deployment move forward on schedule, Amazon could begin launching the first satellites in 2028, laying the foundation for a much larger direct-to-device satellite network.
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