In a bold move that intensifies the space race between billionaires, Amazon has officially launched its own satellite internet service, directly challenging the dominance of Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink.
The New Contender: Amazon Leo
Formerly known under the codename Project Kuiper, the service is now called Amazon Leo. The company is making a significant claim, stating that its Leo Ultra antenna can achieve download speeds of up to 1Gbps. This positions it as a formidable rival, as it reportedly offers the world's fastest commercial satellite internet.
This announced speed dramatically surpasses the current capabilities of its main competitor. SpaceX's Starlink service typically offers users around 200Mbps, with peak speeds reaching approximately 475Mbps.
A David and Goliath Constellation?
The competition, however, is currently lopsided in terms of infrastructure. Amazon Leo's service is being supported by an initial fleet of 150 satellites in orbit. This is a relatively small number when compared to the established Starlink network, which boasts a constellation of roughly 8,500 satellites.
Despite this vast difference in current scale, both companies have ambitious expansion plans. Amazon intends to grow its satellite network to 3,236 units, while SpaceX has its sights set on an even larger constellation of up to 12,000 satellites.
Rollout and Future Availability
As of Tuesday 25 November 2025, access to Amazon Leo is restricted. The service is currently available to a select group of business customers, which includes Hunt Energy Network, Vanu Inc, and JetBlue.
For the general public and a broader market, the wait will be a little longer. Amazon has indicated that a wider commercial rollout of its Leo satellite internet service is expected to commence next year.
The debut of Amazon Leo marks a significant escalation in the commercial space sector, pitting Jeff Bezos against Elon Musk in a new, high-stakes arena that promises to reshape global internet connectivity.
