The FCC regulator criticized Amazon: first deploy your own satellites, then complain about SpaceX.

Brief overview of the conflict between Amazon and SpaceX

- Core dispute:

- Amazon opposed SpaceX’s plan to create a “data center in space” (a network of up to 1 million satellites).

- FCC, led by Brendan Carr, sharply responded to Amazon’s criticism and called it an attempt to slow down the rollout.

- Key statements from Amazon:

- In a statement last week, the company asked the FCC to reject SpaceX’s application.

- Amazon described the project as an “ambitious goal, not a concrete plan,” noting a lack of specific implementation details.

- The company emphasized that it does not have “enough 1,000 satellites” to reach the nearest deployment milestone and urged regulators not to waste time on lawsuits against sales companies.

- FCC’s position:

- Brendan Carr posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Amazon should “focus on what it really lacks,” rather than block the development of space networks.

- Interaction history with the FCC:

- At the end of January, Amazon requested an extension until July 2028 to meet its obligation to launch ~1,600 internet satellites by July 2026.

- Reasons for delay: rocket shortages and manufacturing disruptions that are beyond the company’s control.

- The FCC has previously granted similar extensions. Last month, the commission approved a separate Amazon request to deploy 4,500 satellites—almost twice the original constellation size.

- Current status of Starlink:

- About 9,000 satellites are already in orbit, and the company has permission to launch an additional 7,500 units.

Thus, the conflict between Amazon and SpaceX is intensifying due to disagreements over the scale and realism of the company’s plans to create a cloud data center in space. The FCC raises questions about how justified Amazon’s criticism is and how it affects overall progress in deploying satellite networks.