Amazon just dropped some big news that might shake up the satellite internet game. They’ve officially renamed Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo and honestly the timing couldn’t be more interesting. With Starlink already connecting millions of people around the world. Amazon is finally ready to jump into the ring with its own satellite internet service.
So what’s the deal with Amazon Leo? Let’s break it down.
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What Exactly is Amazon Leo?
Think of Amazon Leo as Amazon’s answer to SpaceX’s Starlink. It’s a massive network of satellites orbiting close to Earth that beam internet down to people who need it most. We’re talking about folks in rural areas, remote locations or places where regular internet providers just don’t reach.
Right now, Amazon has about 150 satellites up there doing their thing. But that’s just the beginning. The plan is to launch over 3,200 satellites eventually, which would make this one of the biggest satellite networks ever built. These satellites orbit pretty low compared to traditional internet satellites, somewhere between 590 and 630 kilometers above Earth. That matters because the closer they are, the faster your connection feels.
The whole system has three main pieces. First, there are ground stations that talk to the satellites. Second, you’ve got the satellites themselves zipping around the planet. And third, there are the customer terminals, basically the dishes you’d install at your home or business to connect to the network.
Three Different Options for Different Needs
Amazon isn’t doing a one size fits all approach here. They’ve designed three different terminal options depending on what you need:
Leo Nano is the smallest one, about 7 inches by 7 inches. It tops out at 100 Mbps, which is plenty for most households. If you’re just browsing the web, streaming shows, or working from home, this would do the trick.
Leo Pro bumps things up a notch. It’s a bit bigger at 11 inches by 11 inches and delivers speeds up to 400 Mbps. Small businesses or people who need more bandwidth would probably go for this option.
Leo Ultra is where things get serious. This is the enterprise level antenna designed for big companies and organizations that need rock solid connectivity. We’re talking speeds up to 1 gigabit per second. That’s seriously fast.
Amazon Leo vs Starlink: Side by Side Comparison
| Feature | Amazon Leo | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Satellites Currently Active | 150+ satellites | 7,600 to 8,000 satellites |
| Planned Network Size | 3,200+ satellites | Ongoing expansion |
| Active Subscribers | Pre-launch phase | Around 8 million users |
| Speed Options | 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps (depending on terminal) | 25 to 220+ Mbps (residential plans) |
| Terminal Sizes | 7×7 inches (Nano), 11×11 inches (Pro), Enterprise (Ultra) | Standard dish around 19×12 inches |
| Primary Market Focus | Enterprise customers and AWS integration | Consumer households and mobile users |
| Global Availability | Late 2025 (enterprise), 2026 (general public) | Currently live in 150+ countries |
| Monthly Service Cost | Not yet announced | Starting at $80 USD, $140 CAD in Canada |
| Special Features | Deep AWS cloud integration, enterprise first | Maritime, RV, and aviation options available |
| Early Partnerships | JetBlue, DIRECTV Latin America, NBN Australia | T-Mobile, major airlines, cruise lines |
How Amazon Leo Really Compares to Starlink
Here’s where things get interesting. Starlink has a massive head start. They’ve got somewhere between 7,600 and 8,000 satellites already in orbit and about 8 million customers worldwide. They’re available in over 150 countries right now. Amazon Leo? They’re still in the pre-launch phase.
But Amazon has some tricks up its sleeve. While Starlink focused heavily on getting consumers connected first, Amazon is taking a different approach. They’re going after big enterprise customers and government contracts right out of the gate. Companies like JetBlue have already signed on to use Amazon Leo for in-flight WiFi starting in 2027. DIRECTV Latin America, Sky Brasil, and Australia’s national broadband operator are also jumping on board.
The real secret weapon might be AWS integration. Amazon can offer something no other satellite internet provider can, a seamless connection to their cloud computing services. For businesses already using AWS, that’s huge.
Speed wise, both services seem pretty comparable. Starlink advertises anywhere from 25 to 220+ Mbps for regular users, with faster speeds available for business plans. Amazon Leo promises 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps depending on which terminal you choose. On paper, they’re in the same ballpark.
When Can You Actually Get It?
This is probably the biggest question. Amazon plans to start offering service to select enterprise customers by the end of 2025. For everyone else, the wider rollout should begin sometime in 2026 as they get more satellites launched and the network built out.
As for pricing? Amazon hasn’t said yet. They’ve mentioned affordability as a goal, but there are no specific numbers out there. For context, Starlink currently charges around $140 CAD monthly for residential service in Canada, with U.S. plans starting at $80 and going up from there.
Why This Matters
Billions of people still don’t have reliable high speed internet. That’s not just inconvenient. It cuts people off from education, healthcare, job opportunities, and basically everything the modern world runs on. Traditional internet providers often skip rural and remote areas because running cables and building infrastructure out there is crazy expensive.
That’s where satellite internet changes everything. You don’t need cables or cell towers. You just need a clear view of the sky and a terminal to connect. Amazon Leo could bring fast, reliable internet to places that have been left behind for years.
The technology also makes a real difference. Because these satellites orbit so much closer to Earth than traditional internet satellites, the delay you experience is way lower. That means you can actually have smooth video calls, play online games without lag, and stream HD video without constant buffering.
Who’s This Really For?
In the short term, Amazon Leo is clearly targeting businesses and government organizations. Airlines want better in-flight WiFi. Defense contractors need secure connections. National broadband programs want to reach underserved areas. These are the early customers.
Eventually, regular consumers and small businesses should get access too, but Amazon hasn’t laid out those plans in detail yet. Countries with huge rural populations and weak connectivity, places like India, are considered major long term markets.
The Bottom Line
Amazon Leo is coming and it’s coming with serious backing. Amazon has basically unlimited resources to throw at this project. And they’re already running one of the biggest satellite production lines on the planet. They’ve got partnerships lined up, satellites in orbit and terminals ready to go.
Will it dethrone Starlink? That’s tough to say. Starlink has years of experience and millions of customers already. But competition is good for everyone. If Amazon can deliver on speed, reliability, and price, people in underserved areas might finally get the internet access they deserve.
The satellite internet race is heating up, and 2026 is shaping up to be a really interesting year.
