Amazon's Leo satellite unit has filed with the Federal Communications Commission to deploy up to 5,105 of its Leo D2D System satellites supplying direct-to-device services to mobile devices.

Set to operate alongside its Gen 1 and 2 broadband systems, the company aims to begin deploying in 2028.

“Our plan is to start deploying in 2028, and we’re excited to work with partners to make it happen,” Chris Weber, vice president of business and product for Amazon Leo, said on X.

Amazon Leo’s D2D System is intended to complement the existing consumer, enterprise, and government broadband service, which connects through its range of antennas ascending in capacity throughout: Leo Nano, Leo Pro, and Leo Ultra. The D2D service isn’t just for smartphones, but also fleet management IoT connectivity and remote sensors.

The D2D satellites will include five orbital shells, optimized for the regions they’re intended to serve; the three mid-latitude shells enable dense coverage for heavily populated areas, at 590 kms at a 55.7° inclination, 560 kms at a 58.2° inclination, and 510 kms at a 56.3° inclination.

The other two orbital shells serve more remote customers and specialist industry, at 570 kms with a 73° inclination for high-latitude customers, and 540 kms at an 84° inclination for near-polar regions.

These satellites will operate over dedicated L-band and S-band spectrum links, while conventional ground station communication will be segregated to Ka- and V-band to provide backhaul-like services. The satellites will also be equipped with on-board processing to reduce downlink burden, digital beamforming, and optical intersatellite links (ISLs).

Amazon Leo has already announced partnerships with telcos like Vodafone, DirecTV, Herotel, and Australia’s National Broadband Network, and hopes to work more closely with mobile network operators and other partners.

The constellation is still rolling out its satellites, with 390 in orbit at present. In early July, Amazon Leo’s deadline to launch half its constellation by mid-2026 was waived by the FCC with a raft of conditions after the Commission extended a limited waiver.

Amazon Leo acquired Globalstar for 11.57 billion in April at $90 per share, including the company’s radio frequency spectrum. In November 2024, Apple purchased 20 percent of Globalstar for $400 million and paid $1.1 billion to expand iPhone satellite services with the company, resulting in Apple occupying 85 percent of Globalstar’s network capacity, services Amazon Leo remains committed to. The deal is expected to close in 2027.

Elon Musk recently dismissed rumors that SpaceX was developing a phone of its own to verticalize its D2D offering through Starlink following the company’s acquisition of Echostar’s spectrum assets, combined with reports of a “handset-like” AI device prototype at the company.