Amazon Asks for FCC OK on Broadband Satellite Plan

Amazon's plan now before the FCC for a 3,236-satellite non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) constellation is increasing the pressure on the agency to act on its orbital debris proceeding, especially since Amazon's resources make its constellation plan less speculative than others, satellite experts told us Friday. Amazon's International Bureau application filed Thursday also could raise red flags from other satellite operators about its trying to bypass the processing round process, said satellite lawyer Steve Goodman of Butzel Long. The FCC didn't comment Friday. Amazon's Kuiper Systems would orbit between 590 and 630 kilometers, providing broadband service in the Ka band, it said, saying its goal is "broadband communications services to tens of millions of unserved and underserved consumers and businesses in the United States and around the globe." It said it has at least part of the necessary global terrestrial networking infrastructure in the form of its intercontinental fiber links and global data centers. Processing rounds aren't necessary any longer to ensure competitive entry given the NGSO fixed satellite service spectrum sharing framework, the e-tailer said, seeking a waiver of the requirement the Kuiper application trigger a processing round. The company asked for a waiver of agency geographic coverage rules since its system wouldn't cover most of Alaska. A satellite lawyer said it's inevitable Kuiper will get pushback from other constellation operators on the processing round issue.