FCC relaxes Amazon's satellite internet deadline
Key takeaways
- The retailer had until July 30 to launch 1,600 satellites, but won't have the rocket capacity in time.
- Amazon/ULA The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Amazon an extension on its Leo satellite internet deployment, according to a ruling released on June 5.
- "[The] waiver serves the public interest by promoting a second large satellite broadband constellation" along with SpaceX, the FCC wrote in its ruling.
The retailer had until July 30 to launch 1,600 satellites, but won't have the rocket capacity in time.
Amazon/ULA The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Amazon an extension on its Leo satellite internet deployment, according to a ruling released on June 5. Amazon was supposed to launch over 1,600 Leo satellites, half of its planned constellation, by July 30th. However, the company requested an extension in January due to rocket capacity issues and changes to its satellite design.
"[The] waiver serves the public interest by promoting a second large satellite broadband constellation" along with SpaceX, the FCC wrote in its ruling. "In this case, strict adherence to the rules would curtail Amazon Leo's deployment of its Gen1 constellation by limiting the service it can provide to American consumers. Such would be contrary to the Commission's mandate under the Communications Act."