Amazon wants the FCC to rewrite satellite-spectrum rules set when Ka-band was 'in its infancy'

FCC ECFS · SB Docket 25-157 · Letter · 2026-01-29

On January 29, 2026, Kuiper Systems LLC — the Amazon satellite venture now permanently branded Amazon Leo — filed a letter in FCC docket 25-157, the Modernizing Spectrum Sharing for Satellite Broadband proceeding. The Commission is reexamining its decades-old framework for splitting spectrum between geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems across the Ku-band and Ka-band. Amazon Leo's pitch: replace the old yardstick with a "modern, realistic set of GSO reference links," arguing the current ones reflect "then-current technology" from an era when — in the company's words — "use of the Ka-band was still in its infancy." It pointedly takes no position on the Ku-band links. The docket is a heavyweight bout: 103 filings, including 56 comments, with Viasat, SpaceX, SES, DIRECTV, and Eutelsat all weighing in.

"Earth is a small town with many neighborhoods in a very big universe."

— Ron Garan

Garan saw Earth as a small town. Docket 25-157 is a zoning fight over it — spectrum that looked empty in 2000 is now prime real estate, and every operator wants the rules redrawn to fit the building it's putting up.

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

Filed underDocket 25-157Spectrum SharingNGSOGSOSpectrumFCCKuiper

Questions & answers

What is Amazon Leo 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."
Is Amazon Leo the same as Project Kuiper?
Yes — Amazon Leo is the permanent brand name for Amazon's satellite broadband network, formerly known as Project Kuiper.
Does Amazon Leo 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.