Amazon prepares Leo satellite network: up to 1 Gbps internet and competition with Starlink

Amazon plans to launch its own satellite internet service, Leo, in mid-2026. These timelines were outlined by CEO Andy Jassy in the company’s annual letter to shareholders, as reported by Engadget.

Focus on ultra-high data speeds

The company claims the future network will deliver download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. In comparison, Starlink typically provides speeds ranging from about 45 to 280 Mbps, depending on location and network conditions.

If these specifications are achieved, Leo could significantly intensify competition in the satellite internet market, moving closer in performance to terrestrial fiber-optic connections.

Public rollout remains partly uncertain

Despite the announced launch timeframe, Amazon has not confirmed whether the service will be immediately available to general consumers. The company notes that further details are not being disclosed at this stage.

It is already known, however, that the system is undergoing corporate testing.

Early testing and partners

Pilot operations began at the end of last year. The program includes major companies and organizations such as Delta and JetBlue, which are exploring the technology for in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity.

Other partners include AT&T, Vodafone, DirecTV Latin America, and NASA, highlighting the project’s focus on enterprise and government use cases.

Competitive race and AWS integration

If launched at scale, Amazon positions Leo as a higher-performance alternative to Starlink. Internal estimates suggest data transmission speeds could be 6–8 times higher, with download speeds roughly twice as fast.

A key advantage is expected to be deep integration with AWS cloud services, enabling companies to use cloud computing, analytics, and AI tools directly via the satellite network.

Scaling limitations and deployment stage

Despite ambitious plans, the project is still in an early phase of expansion. Around 241 Amazon satellites are currently in orbit, compared to more than 10,000 Starlink satellites.

The company has also requested that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission extend its deadline for deploying 1,600 satellites until July 2026. Amazon projects that approximately 700 satellites will be operational by that time.