Federal Communications Commission	DA 26-866



DA 26-866
Released:  August 18, 2026

SPACE BUREAU ACCEPTS FOR FILING 
APPLICATION OF AMAZON LEO FOR NGSO D2D SYSTEM

Comments/Petitions Due:  September 17, 2026
Response to Comments/Oppositions to Petition Due:  September 28, 2026
Replies to Responses/Oppositions Due:  October 5, 2026 

By this Public Notice, the Space Bureau (Bureau) accepts for filing the application (Application) of Kuiper Systems LLC (Amazon Leo) for a new system of 5,105 non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites to deliver direct-to-device (D2D) services, known as the Amazon Leo D2D System (or System). Application of Kuiper Systems LLC for Authority to Launch and Operate a Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit System, ICFS File No. SAT-LOA-20260601-00224, Call Sign S00917 (filed Jul. 24, 2026) (Application).  Kuiper Systems LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com Services LLC (collectively, Amazon). 
  The Bureau finds the Application, upon initial review, to be acceptable for filing and seeks comment on the Application and associated requests for waiver. 47 CFR § 25.112(a). 

 The Amazon Leo D2D System proposes to provide D2D services via mobile-satellite service (MSS) operations in the United States and internationally, with satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO) at altitudes ranging between 510 km and 580 km at various inclinations.  The System will incorporate D2D satellites with service links in the 1.6/2.4 GHz band, perform related fixed-satellite service (FSS) and telemetry, tracking, and command operations (TT&C) in the Ka- and V-bands, and integrate optical inter-satellite links to expand D2D service and connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. Application, Narrative at 4-5.  Amazon ultimately intends to combine the operations of the Amazon Leo D2D System with Globalstar’s assets, incorporating the authorized HIBLEO systems and pending Globalstar C-3 NGSO system, subject to the Commission’s approval of the Amazon and Globalstar application for assignment and transfer of control.  See Application for Consent to Assign and Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations, ICFS File No. ITC-T/C-20260417-00114, GN Docket No. 26-134 (filed May 26, 2026).  The Commission issued a Public Notice on June 4, 2026, establishing the pleading cycle for the application.  Globalstar, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc. Seek FCC Consent and Approval of the Proposed Assignment and Transfer of Control of Licenses and Authorizations Held by Globalstar to Amazon, Public Notice, DA 26-550, GN Docket No. 26-134 (rel. June 4, 2026).
  
Amazon Leo seeks authorization to operate its System using the following frequency bands:
· MSS inside the United States: 
o 1610-1618.725 MHz (Earth-to-space)
o 2483.5-2500 MHz (space-to-Earth)
· MSS outside the United States: Amazon Leo notes that it is not requesting authority for Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) within the United States at this time.  Application, Narrative at 4, n.9.  
 
o 1618.725-1621.35 MHz (Earth-to space) for MSS
o 1668-1675 MHz (Earth-to space) for MSS
o 1518-1525 MHz (space-to-Earth) for MSS
o 1427-2690 MHz (space-to-Earth and Earth-to-space) for direct-to-cell operations
· Feeder links: 
o 17.3-18.6 GHz (space-to-Earth)
o 18.8-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth)
o 27.5-30.0 GHz (Earth-to space)
o 37.5-42.0 GHz (space-to-Earth) 
o 42.0-42.5 GHz (space-to-Earth)
o 47.2-50.2 GHz (Earth-to space)
o 50.4-52.4 GHz (Earth-to space)
· TT&C The Amazon Leo D2D System will also use the 19.25-19.4 GHz and 40.0-40.1 GHz bands for TT&C beacon during launch and early operations, anomalies, and de-commissioning.  See Application, Exhibit C, Technical Attachment at 5. 
: 
o 19.25-19.4 GHz (space-to-Earth)
o 27.5-28.05 GHz (Earth-to space)
o 28.6-29.1 GHz (Earth-to space)
o 40.0-40.1 GHz (space-to-Earth)
o 47.2-47.3 GHz (Earth-to space)
In connection with the Application, Amazon Leo requests the following waivers of the Commission’s rules:
· Section 2.106 for non-conforming use of the 42-42.5 GHz band and 51.4-52.6 GHz band;
· Sections 25.102(a) and 25.115(a)(1)(i) and (d) regarding licensing requirements for D2D-compatible consumer handsets;
· Sections 25.114(c)(4) and (c)(6) requiring space station beam information and information for each satellite;
· Section 25.146(a)(1) establishing the required power flux-density (PFD) limits under with respect to TT&C links in the 10.7-30.0 GHz range, including in the 19.25-19.4 GHz band;
· Section 25.146(a)(2) and (c) establishing the required equivalent power flux-density (EPFD) limits with respect to TT&C in the 10.7-30.0 GHz range;
· Sections 25.156(d) and 25.157(c) of the NGSO system processing round procedures, as applied to Amazon’s proposed feeder link and TT&C link operations in the Ka-band and V-band.
Comment Period and Filing Procedures.  Interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document. 47 CFR §§ 1.2, 1.405, and 1.419.
  All filings must be filed in the International Communications Filing System (ICFS) in accordance with section 25.154 of the Commission’s rules and refer to ICFS File No. SAT-LOA-20260601-00224.  
People with Disabilities.  To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). 
Availability of Documents.  Comments, reply comments, and ex parte submissions will be available via ICFS.  Documents will be available electronically in ASCII, Microsoft Word, and/or Adobe Acrobat.
Additional Information.  For further information, contact Alyssa Roberts, Space Bureau, at (202) 418-7276 or alyssa.roberts@fcc.gov. 

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