CNBC by Annie Palmer 2/10/2026
Key Points
• The FCC authorized Amazon to deploy 4,500 additional Leo internet satellites.
• The new tranche would bring Amazon’s planned constellation to roughly 7,700 satellites.
• Leo is poised to rival SpaceX’s Starlink, which has more than 9,000 satellites in orbit and roughly 9 million customers.
The Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday it approved Amazon’s
request to deploy 4,500 satellites, expanding the company’s planned constellation as it vies to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The FCC’s approval brings the size of Amazon’s planned constellation of low Earth orbit satellites to roughly 7,700 satellites.
The company has sent up more than 150 satellites since April using a variety of rocket launch providers. Amazon has said its goal is to begin providing satellite internet through its service called Leo later this year. The project was announced in 2019.
Amazon is working to meet a separate deadline imposed by the FCC to deploy 1,600 of its first generation satellites before July 2026. Late last month, the company asked the agency to extend the cutoff to July 2028 or to waive the deadline altogether. The FCC hasn’t ruled yet on the request.
More:
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/10/amazon-gets-fcc-approval-to-launch-4500-leo-internet-satellites.html
