FCC waives Amazon Leo milestone, paving way for a second large LEO network

The FCC has waived the July 2026 deadline that required Amazon to deploy half of its 3,232-satellite Leo constellation, keeping the July 2029 Gen1 deadline but removing the 50% milestone timing. The waiver, cited as serving the public interest and boosting competition with SpaceX’s Starlink, will temporarily demote the spectral priority of satellites launched after July 2026 to spur faster deployment. Amazon has faced launch delays and heavy-lift rocket availability issues (New Glenn, Vulcan), relying on Atlas V, Ariane 6, and Falcon 9 rockets to advance the constellation as it pushes toward widespread service.