Starlink offers some big benefits over regular home internet, but what we really need are competitors in that space. Amazon wants to be one of those competitors with Project Kuiper, a satellite internet service that’s still in the works and could be operational by 2026.
Satellite internet is a boon for people in remote areas who don’t have access to fiber optic networks and other forms of high-speed internet. It’s also comes with its own quirks and downsides, but most of those aren’t deal-breakers. The big one is whether you’re willing to hand over money to SpaceX and Elon Musk, hence the need for competitors.
Amazon is working hard on Project Kuiper. But as the official launch edges ever closer, Amazon has decided it’s finally time to give the service a proper new name.
Amazon’s new name for Project Kuiper
After seven years of development, Amazon has rebranded Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo. The new name is a “a simple nod to the low Earth orbit satellite constellation that powers the network.”
In the announcement video, Amazon also speaks of a “new era of the internet.” To usher in this new era, the company is working with other companies in various countries, including DirecTV, Sky Brazil, L3Harris, and the JetBlue airline.
Amazon Leo in 26 countries next year
Amazon’s Starlink alternative is set to launch in 26 countries in Spring 2026, including the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Germany. Amazon is said to have recently presented the project at a conference.
At launch, the company plans to send 200 satellites into low Earth orbit to make the Leo network available to its first users. Around half of these have already been launched into orbit with the help of SpaceX rockets. By comparison, Starlink initially launched with just 60 satellites but has since grown to over 8,000 satellites in orbit.
After the initial launch in select countries, Amazon will likely offer the project in countries beyond the equator with the help of 3,000 more satellites. However, it could be a few months—or even years—before it’s comparable to Starlink in terms of coverage.
What does Amazon Leo offer?
Amazon is clearly aiming for high-speed internet with Leo. In initial tests, it’s said to have achieved transfer rates of between 1 to 1.2 Gbps. For uploads, the company is aiming for 400 Mbps, which is roughly comparable to the performance of Starlink.
However, more is needed to keep up with the competition. Amazon must ensure that the internet connection remains stable and protected against outages. Starlink is still prone to disruption, with a major international outage one month ago that left thousands of users without internet.
Amazon’s plans are ambitious but not far-fetched. We don’t have specific pricing information for Leo yet, but the total costs are expected to be up to $10 billion by launch time. (The launch of the first satellites in April alone cost $150 million.) Nevertheless, the plan prices at launch shouldn’t be unreasonably high if Amazon expects to compete with Starlink.
Read...
