Amazon is escalating its rivalry with SpaceX by filing for FCC approval to operate a 5,105-satellite network that would connect directly to mobile phones, aiming to enter a market SpaceX has dominated. The application, submitted months after Amazon acquired Globalstar's satellite operations, signals a strategic push to combine mobile connectivity with its existing broadband internet network, Leo. Main Developments The proposed constellation would use radio spectrum inherited from Globalstar, which currently provides emergency connectivity to Apple iPhones and Internet-of-Things devices. Amazon plans to start launching the satellites in 2028, integrating the mobile service with Leo, its broadband satellite internet network. This filing comes on the heels of SpaceX's own aggressive expansion. The company plans to spend $20 billion buying spectrum from EchoStar to build out its mobile constellation, a key growth strategy highlighted in its IPO filings. SpaceX already offers satellite-to-mobile services through a partnership with T-Mobile. Read also: Why an AI model's escape from its sandbox changes everything Background Amazon's satellite ambitions have been hampered by launch vehicle delays. The company had planned to rely on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, but that vehicle has been grounded after an anomaly destroyed its launch pad in May. Amazon was forced to request an extension from the FCC to meet its network build-out deadlines. The Globalstar acquisition, completed several months ago, gave Amazon access to valuable spectrum and existing infrastructure for mobile connectivity. That deal positioned the company to challenge SpaceX, which has dominated both satellite internet and satellite-to-mobile services. Why It Matters Despite the high-stakes competition, the market for satellite-to-mobile connections remains unproven. Most current offerings provide limited bandwidth suitable only for text messages or emergency situations. T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan revealed in May that satellite usage accounted for just 0.0002% of the carrier's total network traffic, concentrated largely in national parks. Amazon's financial muscle gives it a distinct advantage. With $255 billion in current assets as of the end of April, the company can sustain long-term investments, while SpaceX faces more pressing capital needs amid its IPO and spectrum acquisition costs. What's Next The FCC will review Amazon's application, with a decision likely determining the timeline for the 2028 launch target. Amazon must also resolve its launch vehicle challenges, either by waiting for Blue Origin's New Glenn to return to service or by contracting with other providers. The success of both companies' mobile satellite services will ultimately depend on whether consumer demand materializes beyond niche emergency and remote-area use cases.