Amazon has decided to retire the code name Project Kuiper and publicly introduce the final brand for its satellite network: Amazon Leo. The new name directly references the constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (Low Earth Orbit, LEO) that will serve this ambitious communication infrastructure.
Seven years after starting the project with a small team of engineers and a few sketches on paper, Amazon believes the time has come to give a “public identity” to a program that aspires to compete head-to-head with Starlink and help bridge the global digital divide.
From code name to real product
As with many Amazon projects — the Echo speaker was “Doppler,” the first Kindle was internally called “Fiona” — the satellite system was born under a code name: Project Kuiper, named after the Kuiper belt, the region of asteroids located at the edge of the solar system.
Over these years, several milestones have been achieved under that umbrella:
- Obtaining key licenses and regulatory approvals.
- Signing what the company has described as one of the largest launch contract packages in history, with multiple rocket providers.
- The successful deployment of the first prototype mission in orbit.
- Deployment of the first batch of production satellites planned for throughout 2025.
With Amazon Leo, the company makes clear that the project has moved beyond experimentation and is beginning to solidify as a commercial product.
150+ satellites in orbit and a factory in “mass production” mode
Amazon reports that it already has more than 150 satellites in orbit and operates one of the largest satellite manufacturing lines in the world, designed to industrially produce the thousands of units needed for a constellation of this type in LEO.
The goal is to build a network of thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites. This distinction is crucial: flying lower drastically reduces latency, which is vital for real-time applications like video calls, cloud gaming, or collaborative work tools.
Amazon Leo will focus on three main customer segments:
- Homes and individuals in rural or isolated areas without fiber or 5G.
- Businesses and organizations that need reliable connectivity in remote locations (logistics, energy, mining, transportation, etc.).
- Public administrations and governments, including support for critical infrastructure.
The company reminds that its original mission was “bringing fast and reliable internet to those still offline today.” In this sense, the project clearly aims to diminish the global digital divide.
Advanced terminals with phased array antennas and up to 1 Gbps
One of the most prominent aspects of the system is the design of the user terminals, the devices installed at homes or offices to connect to the constellation. Amazon claims to have designed some of the most advanced phased array antennas (phased array) on the market, capable of delivering speeds of up to 1 Gbps on their most powerful models.
These antennas, more compact than traditional parabolics, are capable of:
- Dynamically tracking satellites as they move across the sky.
- Switching between satellites seamlessly to maintain a connection.
- Operating in various formats: household terminals, enterprise versions, and mobility-oriented variants (planes, ships, vehicles, etc.).
Amazon has indicated it can produce these terminals for less than $400, placing them below the cost of many competitor antennas at launch, although final consumer prices have not yet been disclosed.
A network supported by Amazon’s logistics and cloud muscle
Beyond space technology, Amazon Leo relies on two pillars that could differentiate it from other operators:
- Global logistics
The company has years of experience manufacturing and distributing millions of electronic products worldwide. This logistics machinery could facilitate rapid terminal delivery and large-scale support, addressing bottlenecks and long wait times that other constellations have faced. - Cloud infrastructure with AWS
The data traffic generated by thousands of satellites and millions of users will need to integrate with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud platform. This offers advantages to: - Integrate with existing enterprise services on AWS.
- Offer comprehensive solutions combining satellite connectivity and cloud services.
- Manage large data volumes with low latency and high availability.
Direct competition with Starlink (and others)
Amazon Leo effectively becomes the main rival to Starlink in the residential satellite internet market of low Earth orbit. Other constellations like OneWeb have targeted primarily corporate clients and wholesale operators, while Amazon and SpaceX also aim at end users.
The rivalry could lead to several market benefits:
- More options for users in rural and remote areas.
- Increased pressure to offer better speeds, lower latency, and more competitive prices.
- More innovation in terminals, antennas, and value-added services (cloud integrations, satellite IoT, etc.).
At present, Amazon Leo continues satellite deployment and has not yet officially announced commercial plans, pricing, or specific availability dates. It indicates only that service will begin once the initial constellation provides sufficient coverage and capacity.
Pilot customers and initial agreements
Although the service isn’t open to the general public yet, Amazon has already signed agreements with various partners to test and deploy Leo connectivity in different scenarios:
- JetBlue and other aerospace players, for in-flight connectivity.
- L3Harris, a defense and communications firm, for government and security applications.
- Television and broadband operators such as DIRECTV Latin America and Sky Brazil.
- NBN Co, Australia’s national broadband network operator, interested in enhancing coverage in remote areas.
These agreements suggest a gradual rollout strategy combining big corporate accounts with future offerings for households and small businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Amazon Leo
1. What sets Amazon Leo apart from other traditional satellite internet services?
The key difference is the low Earth orbit (LEO) and the constellation of thousands of small satellites. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites positioned about 36,000 km away, Leo operates at much lower altitudes, drastically reducing latency and enhancing experiences for video calls, online gaming, or remote work.
2. How does Amazon Leo differ from Starlink?
Both are LEO services, but Amazon Leo leverages the Amazon logistics ecosystem and AWS. This could translate into deeper integration with cloud services, improved antenna distribution processes, and a stronger focus on combined connectivity + cloud solutions for enterprises and governments. Final commercial details like pricing and data limits are yet to be announced, so definitive comparisons will emerge once the service is operational.
3. What connection speeds does Amazon Leo promise?
Prototypes demonstrate terminal capabilities of up to 1 Gbps with the most advanced models, while simpler options will be suitable for households with lower bandwidth needs. Actual speeds will depend on the plan, location, and user density in each area.
4. When will Amazon Leo be available for homes and small businesses?
Amazon has indicated the availability will begin after completing the first phase of the constellation, but no specific date has been provided yet. Currently, the focus remains on satellite launches, strategic partnerships, and ground infrastructure preparation to handle network traffic.
via: LinkedIN