A recent regulatory document mentions an "Amazon Leo modem module" (ALMM), designed to be integrated into existing third-party antenna hardware. This hardware is intended for use by businesses and government organizations.
It appears Amazon, with its Starlink competitor known as Leo, is making moves to allow its satellite internet service to connect with antennas not manufactured by Amazon.
We were already aware that Amazon was developing three different Leo dish models. However, a new filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reveals the company's plans for an "Amazon Leo modem module," specifically created to meet the demands of enterprise and government users.
Amazon informed the FCC last Friday that this modem is "a compact, high-performance unit that embeds Amazon Leo’s network intelligence into antennas built by trusted government and third-party vendors."
The filing further clarifies, "The ALMM will allow government and enterprise customers to use their own antenna hardware to integrate Amazon Leo’s non-geostationary satellite orbit (‘NGSO’) connectivity into existing systems without compromising performance." This module, capable of delivering speeds up to 1Gbps, is expected to give customers more flexibility in their manufacturing and design choices. Amazon points out that traditional satellite dishes combine the modem and control functions, which can restrict design possibilities and future upgrades.
The company also added, "By decoupling the modem from the antenna, the ALMM allows for faster innovation cycles, easier adaptation to specialized mission requirements, and greater resilience to component obsolescence." They highlight that this modular design also makes it possible for various government agencies or third-party vendors to develop and certify their own antenna systems, which can be customized for size, signal strength, or environmental durability, all while remaining compatible with the Amazon Leo network via the ALMM interface.
The e-commerce giant is seeking a "blanket-licensed" approval from the FCC to operate this modem module in both stationary and moving scenarios, including within road vehicles, airplanes, and ships. However, it's important to note that this device will only be sold to government and enterprise customers, not directly to consumers.
Currently, Starlink boasts over 10 million active customers globally and is seeing increased adoption in commercial aircraft and naval vessels. Furthermore, Elon Musk's company has built a network of resellers and dealers to help push Starlink into diverse industries.
This modem module strategy could be Amazon's way of building its own ecosystem of third-party products around Leo. The filing suggests that the modem module is anticipated to "open participation to a wider range of antenna partners, reducing costs, accelerating deployment, and enabling government agencies and enterprise customers to build on existing research and manufacturing investments."
In the short term, Amazon has a lot of ground to cover. The satellite internet system is currently in a private beta phase with a select group of enterprise customers because Amazon only has roughly 210 satellites in orbit. Nevertheless, the company intends to expand Leo's availability later this year as more satellites are launched.
Amazon recently informed the FCC that it has already invested billions to secure more rocket capacity for upcoming Leo launches. However, the company projects having only about 700 satellites in orbit by late July. This number is insufficient to meet an FCC deadline for the satellite constellation, leading Amazon to request an extension.
To attract enterprise customers, Amazon has also been promoting speeds of up to 1Gbps through its Leo Ultra dish. That said, SpaceX also plans to offer gigabit speeds later this year.
