Amazon’s trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028
Amazon’s trying to launch a global satellite cellphone network in 2028
亚马逊计划于 2028 年推出全球卫星手机网络
Amazon filed an FCC application on Saturday to launch a new LEO satellite constellation that will provide direct-to-device satellite service for “voice, messaging, data, and emergency services.” If approved, Amazon will begin deploying the new constellation of 5,105 satellites in 2028. It says it plans to partner with mobile network operators to offer direct-to-device satellite service, similar to Starlink’s partnership with T-Mobile.
亚马逊周六向美国联邦通信委员会（FCC）提交了一份申请，计划发射一个新的低地球轨道（LEO）卫星星座，旨在为“语音、短信、数据和紧急服务”提供直接连接设备的卫星服务。如果获得批准，亚马逊将于 2028 年开始部署这个由 5,105 颗卫星组成的新星座。亚马逊表示，计划与移动网络运营商合作，提供类似于 Starlink 与 T-Mobile 合作模式的卫星直连服务。
Earlier this year, Amazon announced it’s acquiring Globalstar’s satellite network and taking over its deal to provide direct-to-device satellite services for Apple devices. Amazon says its new constellation will “use Globalstar’s spectrum,” adding that it plans to “collaborate with Apple on future satellite services using the expanded network.” Advanced Television points out that the FCC application also includes a request to use spectrum assigned to Iridium’s satellite network outside the US, even as Rocket Lab is in the process of acquiring Iridium with plans to expand.
今年早些时候，亚马逊宣布收购 Globalstar 的卫星网络，并接管其为苹果设备提供卫星直连服务的协议。亚马逊表示，其新星座将“使用 Globalstar 的频谱”，并补充称计划“利用扩展后的网络与苹果在未来的卫星服务上进行合作”。Advanced Television 指出，该 FCC 申请还包括一项请求，即在美国境外使用分配给 Iridium 卫星网络的频谱，尽管 Rocket Lab 目前正在收购 Iridium 并有扩张计划。
The new constellation and direct-to-device service will “complement” the broadband services Amazon also plans to offer through its LEO platform. In addition to consumer satellite service, it would also be used for things like disaster response and emergency messaging.
这一新星座和卫星直连服务将“补充”亚马逊计划通过其 LEO 平台提供的宽带服务。除了面向消费者的卫星服务外，它还将用于灾难响应和紧急通信等领域。
Amazon says the new direct-to-device satellites “will process the signals in orbit before relaying them to improve performance.” The new constellation will be nearly double the size of Amazon’s initial LEO constellation, which is planned to include around 3,200 satellites. As of July 2nd, Amazon says “over 375” of those satellites have launched so far.
亚马逊表示，新的卫星直连设备“将在轨道上处理信号后再进行中继，以提高性能”。这个新星座的规模将几乎是亚马逊最初 LEO 星座的两倍，后者计划包含约 3,200 颗卫星。截至 7 月 2 日，亚马逊称其中“超过 375 颗”卫星已经发射。