The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Amazon a waiver over the company's requirement to launch half of its satellite broadband constellation by the end of July.

Amazon is still required to achieve its July 30, 2029, final deployment deadline.

In the FCC's order, the regulator noted that the extension "is in the public interest," as it serves to promote a second large satellite broadband constellation.

The regulator wants competition for SpaceX, which had previously told the FCC that it shouldn't grant Amazon an extension.

"By waiving certain requirements associated with the Commission’s milestone rules, with conditions, we are encouraging future developments in Amazon Leo’s service and furthering American leadership in space," noted the FCC in its order.

"At the same time, the conditions imposed on this grant continue to further the goals of the Commission’s milestone rules—rapid deployment of licensed systems, efficient spectrum use, and the timely provision of service to the American people—ensuring the actions taken in this order are in the public interest."

Amazon had initially said it would operate at least 50 percent of its planned 3,236-strong LEO fleet by July 2026.

But in January, Amazon Leo sought a 24-month extension to its satellite rollout due to launch shortages. The company had agreed to deploy 1,600 satellites by the original deadline, but that figure is estimated to be around 333 at present.

Amazon previously stated a major cause of the bottleneck had been the "limited number of rockets capable of launches." Matters weren't helped after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 28. It was set to be the first of 24 launches that Amazon Leo booked on New Glenn rockets.

The company plans to launch 36 satellites on its next mission set for June 17, which it notes will be the largest payload to date for Amazon and Ariane 6.