FCC lifts looming deadline for Amazon Leo satellite broadband constellation

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has waived a critical deadline for Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite broadband constellation, granting the company an extension to deploy its satellites. Originally, Amazon was required to launch half of its 3,232 satellites, totaling 1,616 spacecraft, by July 30, 2026, to maintain authorization for the remaining launches. The FCC's decision, made this week, removes the specific time limit for this 50 percent deployment milestone. However, Amazon must still have its entire first-generation constellation of satellites in orbit by the original deadline of July 30, 2029. Amazon had sought an extension to July 2028 or a complete waiver in January, acknowledging it would not meet the upcoming July 2026 deadline. The FCC's approval for the Amazon Leo network was granted in July 2020, with these deployment conditions attached.