Amazon’s trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028

TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsScienceCloseSciencePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ScienceAmazon’s trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028The new constellation of over 5,000 satellites will offer direct-to-cell service using Globalstar’s spectrum.The new constellation of over 5,000 satellites will offer direct-to-cell service using Globalstar’s spectrum.by Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldJul 27, 2026, 3:40 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: AmazonStevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.Amazon filed an FCC application on Saturday to launch a new Leo satellite constellation that will provide direct-to-device satellite service for “voice, messaging, data, and emergency services.” If approved, Amazon will begin deploying the new constellation of 5,105 satellites in 2028. It says it plans to partner with mobile network operators to offer direct-to-device satellite service, similar to Starlink’s partnership with T-Mobile.Earlier this year, Amazon announced it’s acquiring Globalstar’s satellite network and taking over its deal to provide direct-to-device satellite services for Apple devices. Amazon says its new constellation will “use Globalstar’s spectrum,” adding that it plans to “collaborate with Apple on future satellite services using the expanded network.” Advanced Television points out that the FCC application also includes a request to use spectrum assigned to Iridium’s satellite network outside the US, even as Rocket Lab is in the process of acquiring Iridium with plans to expand.The new constellation and direct-to-device service will “complement” the broadband services Amazon also plans to offer through its Leo platform. In addition to consumer satellite service, it would also be used for things like disaster response and emergency messaging.Amazon says the new direct-to-device satellites “will process the signals in orbit before relaying them to improve performance.” The new constellation will be nearly double the size of Amazon’s initial Leo constellation, which is planned to include around 3,200 satellites. As of July 2nd, Amazon says “over 375” of those satellites have launched so far.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldAmazonCloseAmazonPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AmazonMobileCloseMobilePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MobileNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsScienceCloseSciencePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ScienceSpaceCloseSpacePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All SpaceTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularThe US is charging an American citizen for wiping his phone at the borderX