Amazon's Leo Constellation Reaches 396 Satellites Ahead of Broadband Launch
Amazon's satellite broadband network, Leo constellation, has reached 396 units after a recent rocket launch. The company plans to roll out the service this year, offering download speeds of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Amazon's acquisition of Globalstar adds a foothold in direct-to-device services. The move aims to expand network coverage and compete with Starlink.
Key points
- Amazon's Leo constellation has reached 396 satellites after a July 2 rocket launch.
- The company plans to roll out satellite broadband services this year, offering speeds of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
- Amazon acquired Globalstar for over $11.5 billion in April, adding a foothold in direct-to-device services.
- The move aims to expand network coverage and compete with Starlink, a rival satellite broadband service.
Amazon's satellite broadband network, Leo constellation, has reached a significant milestone with 396 units in orbit. The latest rocket launch, which took place on July 2, successfully propelled 29 satellites into low Earth orbit. This development brings Amazon closer to rolling out its satellite broadband service, which is expected to offer download speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, depending on the chosen antenna option.
The acquisition of Globalstar, a satellite network provider, in April for over $11.5 billion, adds a significant component to Amazon's satellite ambitions. Globalstar's constellation of 24 satellites will enable Amazon to offer direct-to-device services, a feature already available on Apple's iPhone 14. This move is seen as a strategic step to expand network coverage and compete with Starlink, a rival satellite broadband service.
With the Leo constellation in place, Amazon is poised to launch its satellite broadband service later this year. The company's director of Launch Systems, Melissa Wuerl, expressed confidence in the project's progress, stating that the team has a clear path to increase launch and deployment cadence, helping to quickly expand network coverage.
Sources
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