Amazon to take on Starlink with Amazon Leo: 5 key things to know
Amazon Leo, formerly Project Kuiper, is Amazon’s global satellite internet system designed to bring fast, reliable connectivity to remote and underserved areas. With over 3,000 low Earth orbit satellites planned and speeds up to 1 Gbps, the service will roll out to enterprise users in 2025 and the public in 2026.
What Amazon Leo is and who it aims to connect Amazon Leo, earlier known as Project Kuiper, is Amazon’s big plan to bring high-speed internet from space to people who still do not have reliable connectivity. There are billions of people and millions of businesses around the world that cannot access fast internet because their regions lack infrastructure. Amazon says Leo will help fill this gap by using thousands of satellites to reach communities that are too remote or too costly for traditional networks. The goal is to cover most countries and make sure even the hardest-to-reach locations can get stable internet access.
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Why Amazon built Leo and why the name changed Amazon says you do not have to go far from big cities to find places where internet connections drop or simply do not exist, even in developed regions like the U.S. Building ground networks in such areas is difficult, expensive, and sometimes impossible due to geography. So Amazon decided to create a satellite network that can cover these gaps from space. The project operated under the name Project Kuiper for years but officially became Amazon Leo in November 2025. The new name highlights that the system is powered by satellites in low Earth orbit.
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How Amazon Leo works and what technology it uses The network has three major parts: ground stations, satellites, and customer terminals. On the ground, Amazon uses gateway antennas that exchange data with satellites and control antennas that keep the satellites on track. In space, thousands of satellites orbit just a few hundred kilometres above Earth and constantly relay internet traffic. Customers will use small antennas at home or work, such as the Leo Nano, Leo Pro, and Leo Ultra, depending on their speed requirements. These devices combine advanced processors and antennas to deliver smooth, fast internet directly from the satellites overhead.
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How many satellites Amazon Leo will launch and how they get there Amazon plans to build more than 3,000 satellites to form the initial Leo constellation. All these satellites operate together in a tightly coordinated system to maintain strong and stable coverage. To send them into space, Amazon has booked over 80 rocket launches from SpaceX, Blue Origin, Arianespace, and ULA. This is one of the biggest launch commitments ever made by a private company, and it will take several years to complete. Amazon also says it has designed the satellites with safety and sustainability in mind to avoid space debris.
When Amazon Leo will go live and how fast it will be Amazon plans to roll out Leo internet service to select enterprise customers by the end of 2025, with a wider public rollout in 2026 as more satellites go up. The speeds will vary based on the antenna customers choose. The smallest model, Leo Nano, can deliver up to 100 Mbps, while Leo Pro goes up to 400 Mbps. The highest-end model, Leo Ultra, can deliver speeds up to 1 Gbps, making it suitable for businesses and heavy data users. Amazon says this low Earth orbit system will offer smooth video calls, gaming, and high-definition streaming even in remote regions.
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