Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
TL;DR
- Amazon has announced plans to merge its Amazon LEO satellite service with Globalstar to bring direct-to-device satellite services to mobile devices.
- Amazon LEO is expected to begin providing limited LEO internet access this year, although its D2D services are not expected until 2028.
- Amazon still has a long way to go if it wants to overtake Starlink, but it’s good to see more competition in the LEO satellite game.
For years, Amazon has promised that it would eventually offer its own low-Earth orbit satellite service that would be able to go toe-to-toe with Starlink. Amazon’s Project Kuiper has had a very slow journey, but it looks like it’s finally gaining momentum. Earlier today, the company announced that its satellite service will debut under the name Amazon Leo and that it will soon be partnering with multiple airline carriers to offer 1Gbps speeds over the air. This is not the only big news, this is also big news for Amazon Announced merger with Globalstar.
Don’t want to miss the best of Android Authority?
For those who don’t know, Globalstar is a direct-to-device (D2D) provider, meaning it can connect directly to mobile devices without the need for a ground-based tower.
It also has a network of about 30 LEO satellites, which will be added to Amazon’s existing collection of about 200 units. This should allow Amazon to better compete against Starlink for home internet, in addition to Starlink potentially providing an alternative to T-Sat in the future.
Globalstar was already Apple’s partner for iPhone and Watch satellite features, with the latter company having invested heavily in the network. This relationship will continue going forward, only Amazon LEO will be made the basis of these services. That said, the change isn’t expected to begin until 2028.
While these moves show that Amazon hasn’t given up on its LEO ambitions, it’s also important to be realistic about where things stand.
Right now, Starlink has over 10 million active customers, has lowered its pricing significantly through promos, and has thousands of operating satellites. Amazon LEO, meanwhile, has a little less than 300 units with the acquisition, though it plans to launch more than 3,000 satellites by 2029. It has not yet launched a commercial service, although it plans to launch a limited commercial sometime in “mid-2026”.
The good thing is that Amazon’s D2D implementation will reportedly provide much more spectrum and efficiency than older direct-to-sale options. This means that when Amazon begins rolling out its D2D satellite system in 2028, it could surpass Starlink by offering advanced voice, data, and messaging services that are close to the speeds you get with terrestrial networks. Of course, Starlink could easily improve itself to ensure it doesn’t fall behind here.
It’s unclear whether Amazon and other competitors will be able to overcome Starlink’s massive lead, but ultimately, the more competition there is in this space, the better it will be for consumers in terms of pricing and options.
Thank you for being a part of our community. Please read our comment policy before posting.
