Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) unveils satellite broadband for enterprises; Competitive analysis with Starlink
Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) has now disclosed its enterprise-focused hardware, services, and capabilities, and launching a new preview program for select enterprise customers to begin testing Amazon Leo services ahead of a wider commercial rollout in 2026. With more than 150 satellites in orbit and initial network testing underway, Amazon Leo aims to provide high-speed internet service to those beyond the reach of existing networks, including the millions of businesses, government entities, and organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.
Amazon revealed the final production design of Amazon Leo Ultra, an advanced, enterprise-grade terminal that delivers best-in-class performance for demanding private and public sector applications. The full-duplex phased array antenna (see photo below) provides download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds up to 400 Mbps, making it the fastest commercial phased array antenna in production.
- The standard customer terminal for most users is the Leo Pro, offering downlink speeds of up to 400 Mbps in an 11”x11” package, and the Leo Nano is a 7×7” model that delivers downlink speeds up to 100 Mbps.
- For the Leo Pro and Leo Nano customer terminals, Amazon overlaid transmit and receive phased array antennas to deliver high performance while reducing size—the first time that had been done in the Ka-band.
- Leo Ultra is the most powerful antenna in their lineup, specifically designed for demanding enterprise applications. It features advanced networking capabilities, including simultaneous upload and download capabilities and seamless integration with existing enterprise network infrastructure. The transmit and receive antennas are side by side to maximize performance and allow for full duplex operation, which means the antenna can simultaneously transmit and receive data at high speeds. Leo Ultra is engineered for the elements with a durable, weather-resistant design that can withstand high-and low temperatures, precipitation, and strong winds. Its sleek and integrated design eliminates moving parts while enabling rapid installation and reliable operation across a wide range of locations.
Amazon Leo will offer enterprise-grade features including easy-to-use network management tools, advanced encryption across the network, and 24/7 priority customer support. The service is designed to support critical business applications including real-time data processing, remote operations management, and secure communications for teams working in field locations. It also connects directly to Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as other cloud and on-premise networks, allowing customers to securely move data from remote assets to private networks without touching the public internet. Amazon Leo will offer two primary private networking solutions:
- Direct to AWS: With Direct to AWS (D2A), AWS customers can connect directly to their cloud workloads using an AWS Transit Gateway or AWS Direct Connect Gateway through a point-and-click interface on the Amazon Leo web console, simplifying network management and lowering latency.
- Private Network Interconnect: Enterprises and telecommunications providers can also establish private network interconnects (PNI) at major colocation facilities to connect remote locations directly to their data center or core network, enabling Private Networking in days rather than the weeks or months typically required to deploy traditional private circuits.
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Quotes:
“Amazon Leo represents a massive opportunity for businesses operating in challenging environments,” said Chris Weber, vice president 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 out there, and we’re excited to provide them with the tools they need to transform their operations, no matter where they are in the world.”
An anonymous Amazon Leo spokesperson told Fierce Network, “We have a broad mix of customers, some of whom are also customers of AWS. We’ll expand service to more customers, including residential users, as we add coverage and capacity to the network in 2026. We’ll share details as we get closer to general availability.”
“We’ve made a ton of progress already this year with six successful missions sending more than 150 satellites to orbit; our next mission is coming up on December 15 to deploy another 27 satellites; and we’re processing satellites for the next missions after that. We need more satellites up before we can offer 24-hour coverage, and we expect to accelerate deployment in the coming months as we begin launching on new heavy-lift rockets like Vulcan, New Glenn and Ariane 6 that can carry more satellites per launch,” said the spokesperson.
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| Feature | Starlink (SpaceX) | Amazon Leo (Amazon) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Status | Fully operational, with a large, established customer base. | In an “enterprise preview” phase with select businesses; commercial rollout expected in 2026. |
| Satellites in Orbit | Over 9,000 satellites currently deployed. | Over 150 satellites currently deployed, with a goal of over 3,000. |
| Target Audience | Broad focus on consumers, rural users, businesses, aviation, and maritime. | Initial focus on enterprise, government, and telecom providers, with consumer service planned for later. |
| Max Speeds | Current median speeds around 200 Mbps for residential, higher for business plans (up to 400 Mbps+ with certain hardware). | Promises up to 1 Gbps download speeds with its enterprise-grade Leo Ultra antenna. |
| Differentiation | Known for its broad availability and relatively low-cost consumer hardware. | Emphasizes seamless integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and enhanced private networking features for business customers. |
- Technological Rivalry: The competition is fueled by a high-profile rivalry between founders Elon Musk (SpaceX) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon), whose separate space ventures also compete.
- Market Growth: The entry of Amazon Leo is expected to drive innovation and provide customers with more options, potentially driving down prices and improving services across the industry.
References:
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/amazon-leo/amazon-leo-satellite-internet-ultra-pro
https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/amazon-leo-previews-its-satellite-broadband-enterprises
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