Amazon seeks FCC extension for satellite internet rollout

The retail giant has petitioned federal regulators for additional time to get its space-based internet project off the ground, citing problems securing enough rocket launches to meet an upcoming deadline.

Amazon told the Federal Communications Commission on Friday that it needs an extension to deploy approximately 1,600 satellites by a July 2026 cutoff date. The company wants regulators to push that deadline back two years to July 2028.

Rocket shortage and manufacturing problems blamed

The request is made as Amazon prepares to introduce its newly renamed satellite internet service, Amazon Leo. The network is intended to provide web connections from space, and the corporation has allocated at least $10 billion for its construction.

The complaint claims that Amazon’s progress has been hampered by uncontrollable challenges. The corporation alluded to a dearth of usable rockets in the foreseeable future, combined with challenges at manufacturing facilities, failure launches of new vehicles, and restricted space at launch sites.

Amazon told regulators it can build satellites much faster than launch providers can send them into orbit.

The company originally planned to deploy 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit. Federal rules require Amazon to get roughly half of them up by the original deadline.

Amazon first announced its satellite constellation in 2019. The network is designed to provide fast internet with minimal delays to homes, businesses, and government agencies through square-shaped receiving devices.

To get its satellites into space, Amazon has reserved more than 100 launches. Recent purchases include 10 additional flights with SpaceX, the company run by Elon Musk, plus 12 more launches with Blue Origin, the space venture started by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

While its launch partners have hit important milestones with their rockets over the past year, Amazon said development schedules for these newer vehicles have taken longer than expected, causing deployment setbacks.

Progress made as competition intensifies

Since April, Amazon has sent more than 150 satellites into orbit. The company projects it will have about 700 satellites in space by July 30, which would make it the second-largest satellite network in operation. Another 32 satellites are scheduled to launch February 12 aboard a rocket from Arianespace, a French launch company.

Amazon Leo will compete primarily with SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently operates more than 9,000 satellites and serves roughly 9 million customers. Another competitor, OneWeb, is run by France’s Eutelsat and has more than 600 satellites in orbit.

Last November, Amazon opened a limited trial version of Leo for selected business customers before a full public launch.

In its filing, Amazon warned that rejecting the extension would work against the FCC’s own objectives of expanding spectrum use and encouraging quick deployment of new services. The company noted regulators have approved similar deadline extensions for other operators in the past.

Amazon told the FCC it is actively deploying satellites and ready to offer Americans a new competitive service option. Granting extra time would allow this work to continue, while enforcing the current deadline strictly could slow or stop the rollout entirely.

Ultimately, the commission’s decision will determine how quickly Amazon can officially challenge Starlink’s current market dominance.

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