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FCC chair criticises Amazon's delayed satellite launches after opposing SpaceX data center plan
Amazon has requested waiver or 24-month extension from FCC to meet July 2026 deadline
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr criticised Amazon on Wednesday for its opposition to SpaceX's space-based data center initiatives while it lags in its own satellite "deployment requirement."
"Amazon should address the reality that it's falling about 1,000 satellites short of its next deployment target, rather than investing its time and money in filing disputes against companies that are actively launching thousands of satellites," Carr expressed in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Recently, Amazon urged the FCC to deny a SpaceX application requesting the launch of up to 1 million low Earth orbit satellites aimed at establishing a space-based data network to support artificial intelligence endeavors.
Amazon described the proposal as more "ambitious dreams than a realistic strategy," highlighting that SpaceX hasn't offered enough clarity on how it plans to "fulfill these significant promises."
SpaceX's Starlink is currently a leader in the satellite internet market. Amazon is aiming to compete with Starlink through its Leo satellite service, previously known as Kuiper.
The company has committed over $10 billion to this initiative, launching at least 200 satellites since last April with various launch collaborators, including Elon Musk's SpaceX.
In late January, Amazon requested the FCC for either a waiver or an extension of 24 months until July 2028 to comply with a requirement to launch around 1,600 internet satellites by July 2026.
The company attributed this to unforeseen delays, citing a "limited immediate availability" of rockets and production setbacks.
Amazon highlighted in its appeal that similar deadline extensions have been previously approved by the FCC.
Last month, the FCC granted a separate authorization allowing Amazon to deploy 4,500 internet satellites, thereby significantly expanding its satellite network.
Starlink now operates approximately 9,000 satellites in orbit with about 9 million users. The service recently gained FCC approval to launch another 7,500 satellites.