Amazon has launched an enterprise preview of its rebranded low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, now called Amazon Leo, signaling a major step forward in its challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink.
The preview gives select business and government customers early access to gigabit-class satellite connectivity, private networking, and enterprise-grade security, ahead of a broader commercial rollout planned for 2026.
What Is Amazon Leo?
Amazon Leo is the new brand name for Project Kuiper, Amazon’s planned constellation of 3,236 low Earth orbit satellites designed to provide global broadband coverage.
Key points:
Over 150 satellites are already in orbit, with initial network testing underway.
The LEO architecture significantly reduces latency compared with traditional geostationary satellite systems.
Amazon is positioning Leo to serve enterprises, governments, telecom operators, and remote industries where fiber, cellular, or microwave networks are unavailable or unreliable.
The rebrand highlights Amazon’s focus on low-latency, high-performance connectivity rather than consumer satellite internet alone.
Enterprise Preview Program
Amazon has quietly opened an enterprise-only preview, allowing a limited number of organizations to test production-ready hardware and networking capabilities.
According to reports:
Early participants include JetBlue and Hunt Energy Network, alongside other unnamed enterprise customers.
The preview focuses on performance validation, real-world use cases, and customer feedback.
Insights from the program will shape Amazon Leo’s enterprise offerings before its full commercial launch in 2026.
This move signals Amazon’s intent to target high-value enterprise and government contracts rather than competing solely on consumer pricing.
Leo Ultra: Gigabit-Class Satellite Hardware
At the center of Amazon’s enterprise strategy is Amazon Leo Ultra, a high-performance satellite ground terminal built for demanding workloads.
Leo Ultra Specifications
Up to 1 Gbps download speeds
Up to 400 Mbps upload speeds
Full-duplex phased-array antenna
Powered by custom silicon and proprietary RF signal-processing technology
Amazon says Leo Ultra is designed to support cloud connectivity, real-time monitoring, video streaming, and mission-critical applications while maintaining low latency.
Enterprise Networking and Security Features
Beyond raw bandwidth, Amazon is emphasizing enterprise-grade networking and security as a key differentiator.
Amazon Leo includes:
Private networking that bypasses the public internet
Direct, secure connections to AWS, on-prem environments, and hybrid cloud architectures
End-to-end encryption and centralized network management
24/7 priority enterprise support for critical operations
These features are aimed at industries such as aviation, energy, defense, logistics, and remote infrastructure.
Amazon Leo vs Starlink: How They Compare
Amazon’s enterprise preview arrives as it races to close the gap with SpaceX’s Starlink, the current leader in LEO satellite broadband.
Market Comparison
Starlink: ~9,000 satellites deployed, millions of users worldwide, fully commercial
Amazon Leo: ~150 satellites deployed, enterprise preview stage, commercial launch expected in 2026
While Starlink dominates in scale and availability, Amazon Leo is positioning itself as:
A gigabit-focused, enterprise-first solution
Deeply integrated with AWS and Amazon’s cloud ecosystem
An alternative in regions where Starlink congestion or enterprise networking requirements are concerns
What This Means for the Satellite Internet Market
Amazon Leo’s enterprise preview marks a significant escalation in competition within the LEO satellite broadband market. Rather than directly targeting consumers, Amazon appears focused on high-margin enterprise, government, and cloud-centric use cases.
If Amazon successfully scales its satellite constellation and delivers on promised performance, Amazon Leo could become a serious enterprise alternative to Starlink over the next two years.
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