Jeff Bezos unveiled plans for his satellite network two years before stepping down as chief executive of Amazon - Chesnot/GettyJeff Bezos's Amazon is preparing to launch more than 5,000 satellites to tackle patchy mobile phone coverage around the world. Amazon has already been working to build and launch thousands of satellites that can relay signals to consumer satellite dishes. Amazon unveiled its plans for a satellite network in 2019, two years before Mr Bezos, a fan of Star Trek, stepped down as chief executive. It will also bring Amazon into competition with the UK's Vodafone, which is planning to offer space mobile signals with US satellite company AST Space Mobile. Amazon has its own deal with Vodafone to boost its broadband coverage using satellite signals.