Amazon Leo, formerly Project Kuiper, is ramping up its satellite internet service with the shipment of its top-tier terminals for testing. This development signifies Amazon’s continued advancement in providing high-speed, space-based internet access globally. Despite trailing SpaceX’s Starlink network, Amazon Leo is forging partnerships and unveiling impressive performance figures.
The Leo Ultra service boasts download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second and upload speeds of up to 400 megabits per second. This enhanced uplink performance is a key differentiator. During an enterprise preview, select business customers will utilize production-grade hardware and software to provide Amazon Leo teams with valuable customer feedback and tailor solutions for specific industries. ‘Amazon Leo represents a massive opportunity for businesses operating in challenging environments,’ stated Chris Weber, VP of Consumer and Enterprise Business for Amazon Leo. ‘From our satellite and network design to our portfolio of high-performance phased array antennas, we’ve designed Amazon Leo to meet the needs of some of the most complex business and government customers.’
The service utilizes a custom silicon chip optimized for applications like videoconferencing and cloud computing, and can connect directly to Amazon Web Services and other networks. Amazon offers three tiers of service: Leo Ultra, Leo Nano (100 Mbps), and Leo Pro (400 Mbps). Amazon is currently shipping Leo Ultra and Leo Pro units to select companies including JetBlue, Vanu Inc., Hunt Energy Network, Connected Farms and NBN Co.
Amazon has launched 153 production-grade satellites into low Earth orbit and plans to deploy over 3,000 additional satellites by mid-2026. SpaceX continues to dominate the market with over 9,000 Starlink satellites and 8 million active customers. JetBlue intends to utilize Amazon Leo to enhance its in-flight Wi-Fi service, emphasizing ‘fast, reliable performance and flexibility’ for travelers.