Amazon says the FCC is splitting satellite spectrum by rules written when Ka-band was 'in its infancy'

FCC ECFS · SB Docket 25-157 · Letter · 2026-01-29
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Amazon thinks the FCC is refereeing a modern spectrum fight with an outdated rulebook. In a January 29, 2026 letter, its Kuiper Systems unit asked the Commission to adopt a "modern, realistic set of GSO reference links" for sharing Ka-band spectrum between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems. The current references, Amazon argued, date to an era when "use of the Ka-band was still in its infancy." It backs the case with data, studying thousands of real link-pairs and proposing four reference links it calls "protectively representative of 97.6% of the links studied." It takes no position on the Ku-band.

Docket 25-157 has drawn 103 filings, including 56 comments, with Viasat, SpaceX, SES, DIRECTV and Eutelsat on the record.

"use of the Ka-band was still in its infancy"

— Amazon (Kuiper Systems), FCC docket 25-157

Sources: FCC ECFS filing → · Orbit Sentinel (docket 25-157)

Filed underDocket 25-157Spectrum SharingNGSOGSOSpectrumFCCKuiper

Questions & answers

What is Amazon asking the FCC to do in docket 25-157?
To adopt a "modern, realistic set of GSO reference links" for sharing Ka-band spectrum between geostationary and non-geostationary satellite systems, arguing the existing references reflect technology from an era when use of the Ka-band was "still in its infancy."
Does Amazon take a position on the Ku-band reference links?
No. The filing explicitly takes no position on the appropriate GSO reference links for the Ku-band.
Is Kuiper Systems part of Amazon?
Yes. The filing identifies Kuiper Systems LLC as an Amazon subsidiary.