Amazon claims its new satellite network will support download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. By comparison, the rival Starlink system typically delivers speeds ranging from 45 to 280 Mbps.
Jassy did not specify whether the mid-2026 timeframe includes a rollout to individual consumers. However, “select corporate customers” began testing the high-speed connection late last year. Delta and JetBlue have already signed deals to use the Leo network for in-flight Wi-Fi, with other business partners including AT&T, Vodafone, DirecTV Latin America, and NASA.
When the service finally reaches consumers, Amazon Leo could offer several key advantages over Elon Musk’s network. The system is expected to deliver six to eight times faster upload speeds and twice the download speeds of its competitors. Amazon is also promising lower pricing and built-in integration with the AWS cloud for corporate data storage, analytics, and AI development.
Despite these perks, it seems it will be a while before Amazon can challenge Starlink on a mass scale. The project is currently facing delays – only 241 Leo satellites are operational in orbit, compared to Starlink’s massive fleet of over 10,000. In January, Amazon had to ask the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an extension on a July 2026 deadline that required the company to deploy 1,600 satellites. At the time, the company admitted it only expects to have around 700 satellites up and running by then.
The clash between these two services could mark the first real attempt to break Elon Musk’s satellite monopoly. While SpaceX holds a massive advantage in the sheer number of hardware in orbit, Amazon has its own business ace in the hole. The AWS cloud ecosystem means Amazon Leo doesn’t have to compete with Starlink solely for individual users – its primary goal is to snatch up the most lucrative contracts from major corporations and governments that already rely on the Seattle giant’s servers for their databases.