The target timeline for Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), Amazon's long-developed satellite internet project, has been clarified. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced in his annual letter to shareholders that the service is planned to be launched in mid-2026.
Although the timeline has been clarified, no specific details were shared regarding whether the given date applies directly to individual users or only to certain business partners.
Speed Target: 1 Gbps
According to the technical information shared by Amazon, Leo enters the satellite internet market with a remarkable performance claim. The system is designed to offer download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. This value represents a significantly high level when compared to current satellite internet solutions. For instance, Starlink, a prominent player in the sector, typically offers download speeds ranging from 45 to 280 Mbps.
The company also aims for a significant difference not only in download speeds but also in upload performance. Amazon claims that Leo will be able to provide 6 to 8 times higher uplink performance compared to its competitors.
Corporate Tests Have Begun
Amazon Leo is not yet a fully launched service, but its closed testing phase is progressing. The company announced that it began testing with "selected corporate customers" late last year.
Notable collaborations have emerged within this scope. Delta Air Lines and JetBlue are among the companies that have signed agreements to use Leo technology for in-flight internet services. Additionally, major institutions such as AT&T, Vodafone, DirecTV Latin America, and NASA are involved in various levels of cooperation with the project.
Amazon's Leo project is positioned not only as a speed-focused satellite internet system but also as a component of corporate digital infrastructure. The company states that the service will work directly integrated with Amazon Web Services (AWS), providing advantages in data storage, analysis, and artificial intelligence processes.
Furthermore, Amazon emphasizes that Leo will be a more cost-effective service compared to its rivals. Despite all these ambitious plans, Amazon Leo still faces a significant infrastructure deficit for global expansion. Currently, 241 satellites are actively operating in orbit.
Starlink has over 10,000 satellites in orbit. Amazon requested an extension from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in January for its July 2026 target. The company acknowledged that reaching the target of 1,600 satellites in orbit by that date would be challenging, stating that achieving approximately 700 satellites is more realistic.
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