Amazon plans to launch a constellation of 5,000 satellites to provide mobile phone services worldwide, stepping up its challenge to Elon Musk’s Starlink. The tech giant filed an application with the US Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy the constellation by 2028. Amazon said the system would deliver voice, messaging, data and emergency services, aiming for direct‑to‑device connectivity to millions living, traveling or working beyond the reach of existing networks.

This marks Amazon’s first foray into satellite mobile connections, a market previously dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink, which has partnered with operators such as T-Mobile US and the UK’s Virgin Media O2. Amazon will utilize the radio‑wave spectrum it gained through its $11.6 bn acquisition of Globalstar, which operates 390 satellites but has faced deployment delays.

The company was granted an FCC extension in June to launch about 1,600 satellites by month‑end, underscoring the urgency of catching up with Starlink’s more than 10,000 active satellites. Amazon’s move is expected to intensify competition in the direct‑to‑device mobile market.