In a significant push into the space-based internet market, Amazon has confirmed that it will roll out its satellite broadband service, Leo, by mid-2026.
The announcement was made by CEO Andy Jassy in his annual letter to shareholders. The project is part of Amazon’s broader plan to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink in the low-Earth orbit internet space.
Jassy said the Leo service is already seeing early interest from enterprise and government customers. The company has partnered with airlines such as Delta and JetBlue, along with telecom operators and institutions including AT&T, Vodafone, DirecTV Latin America and NASA. Amazon has also been testing the system with select enterprise users since late last year to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity.
However, the project continues to face execution and regulatory challenges. At present, the constellation has around 240 satellites in orbit, which is significantly lower than what is required for global coverage. Due to this gap, Amazon has requested the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an extension on the July 2026 deadline that mandates at least 1,600 satellites in orbit.
To address these concerns, Amazon has emphasised its long-term commitment by securing launch contracts through early 2029. The company plans to increase the pace of launches and improve efficiency by sending more satellites per mission. It also expects to expand access to customer terminals among enterprise and government clients within this timeline.
Leo aims to differentiate itself through better performance and pricing. According to Jassy, the service is expected to deliver speeds that are about 6-8 times faster on uplink and 2 times faster on downlink compared to current offerings. He added that this improved performance will be available at a lower cost than existing alternatives.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.