Amazon’s satellite internet service, Amazon Leo, is slated for a mid-2026 launch, as announced by CEO Andy Jassy in his annual letter to shareholders. The service aims to provide download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, significantly outpacing competitors like Starlink, which typically offers speeds between 45 and 280 Mbps.
The upcoming launch is notable for its potential market impact, but Jassy did not disclose whether consumer availability will align with the mid-2026 timeline. An Amazon spokesperson stated that no additional details regarding the launch are currently available.
Select enterprise customers began testing the high-speed service in late 2022. Notable businesses that have signed on to utilize Amazon Leo for in-flight Wi-Fi include Delta and JetBlue. Other partners include AT&T, Vodafone, DirecTV Latin America, and NASA.
The service is expected to deliver six to eight times faster uplink performance and double the download speeds compared to its competitors. Furthermore, Amazon Leo is projected to be less expensive and integrate with Amazon Web Services for enterprise data storage, analytics, and AI capabilities.
Despite these anticipated advantages, Amazon Leo is reportedly facing delays, with only 241 satellites currently operational in its constellation. In contrast, Starlink operates over 10,000 satellites. In January, Amazon requested an extension from the FCC concerning a July 2026 deadline, which mandates that 1,600 satellites be in orbit. The company indicated it expects to have around 700 satellites functional by that time.
