When Will Amazon Leo Be Available?

When Will Amazon Leo Be Available?

Amazon’s highly anticipated satellite internet service is finally approaching launch. After years of development, Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper internet) is preparing to bring high-speed connectivity to underserved areas across the United States and beyond [1].

If you’ve been waiting for a viable alternative to Starlink or struggling with limited rural internet options, Amazon Leo availability could be the solution you’ve been hoping for.

What Is Amazon Leo Internet?

Amazon Leo internet is Amazon’s ambitious entry into the satellite broadband market. Originally developed under the code name Project Kuiper, the service was officially rebranded as Amazon Leo in November 2025, with “Leo" referring to the low-Earth orbit satellites that power the network [2].

Unlike traditional satellite providers that rely on a single large satellite positioned 22,000 miles above Earth, Amazon satellite internet uses a constellation of thousands of small satellites orbiting just 390 miles above the surface. This LEO approach can dramatically reduce latency and increase speeds, similar to how SpaceX’s Starlink operates.

The FCC authorized Amazon to deploy 3,236 satellites in July 2020 [3], and the company has committed over $10 billion to the project. As of February 2026, Amazon has successfully launched more than 200 satellites into orbit, with ambitious plans for rapid expansion throughout the year [4].

When Will Amazon Leo Be Available to Customers?

Amazon Leo is expected to begin rolling out service to residential customers in 2026, with initial availability focused on select markets. According to Amazon executives, the company aims to launch service in five countries by Q1 2026: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada [5].

An enterprise preview program began in November 2025, letting select business customers to test the network. However, the timeline has shifted several times. Amazon initially hoped to begin service by late 2024, then pushed to early 2025, and now expects wider rollout “later in 2026" [6]. The delays stem from rocket launch shortages, manufacturing disruptions, and grounding of new launch vehicles.

For continuous coverage, Amazon Leo internet needs approximately 578 satellites in orbit, which is a milestone that would enable service across most of North America. Amazon has regulatory deadlines requiring half of its constellation (roughly 1,618 satellites) deployed by July 30, 2026, though the company requested a two-year extension in January 2026 [7].

Despite challenges, Amazon has secured more than 100 rocket launches from United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, SpaceX, and Blue Origin. The February 2026 Ariane 64 launch deployed 32 satellites (the largest payload to date), demonstrating accelerating deployment.

How Much Will Amazon Leo Cost?

Amazon hasn’t announced official pricing for Amazon Leo availability, but has consistently emphasized affordability. When you compare internet providers in the satellite space, current options include:

• Starlink: $50–$165/month plus $349–$599 equipment
• Viasat: $99.99–$119.99/month
• HughesNet: $39.99–$94.99/month

Industry analysts expect Amazon Leo to price competitively with Starlink. Amazon’s manufacturing expertise could help undercut competitors on equipment costs. Three customer terminal models include:

• Amazon Leo Nano: 7-inch dish, up to 100 Mbps
• Amazon Leo Pro: 11-inch residential terminal, up to 400 Mbps, under $400
• Amazon Leo Ultra: Enterprise terminal, up to 1 Gbps

How Fast Will Amazon Leo Internet Be?

Based on prototype testing, Amazon Leo internet speeds should compete directly with Starlink’s performance. The standard residential terminal has achieved speeds up to 400 Mbps in tests, significantly faster than most rural internet options.

For context, the FCC’s minimum broadband standard is 25 Mbps download [8]. An affordable 400 Mbps connection would transform households currently relying on DSL, fixed wireless, or older satellite technology. Amazon’s enterprise terminal promises speeds up to 1 Gbps, positioning Amazon Leo as viable for businesses and government agencies in remote locations.

Actual speeds will depend on satellite coverage density, network traffic management, and local conditions. Starlink users have reported varying performance based on network congestion, so how Amazon manages similar challenges will be important.

Why Amazon Leo Matters for Rural Internet

If you’re searching for the best internet in your area with limited options, Amazon Leo could be another (better) option. More competition among internet providers leads to better pricing, improved service, and faster innovation.

Starlink currently dominates with over 9 million subscribers and 9,000+ satellites [9]. Amazon’s entrance should pressure Starlink to maintain competitive pricing. And, in fact, Starlink has already responded with promotions to start 2026 with $59 for new subscribers’ first month [10].

Amazon brings unique strengths: world-class logistics to solve equipment delivery delays, AWS network management expertise, manufacturing capacity (172,000-square-foot factory producing five satellites daily), and strategic partnerships including JetBlue Airlines, Vodafone, and over $210 million in BEAD program awards to serve 321,500+ locations [11].

How to Prepare for Amazon Leo Availability

While waiting for Amazon Leo, compare internet plans in your area. You might discover fixed wireless, 5G/4G LTE home internet, or regional providers as bridges.

When comparing Amazon Leo to other options, look beyond monthly fees. Consider equipment costs, installation fees, data caps, contract terms, and performance guarantees. Assess your household’s needs: light use needs 25–50 Mbps, moderate use benefits from 100–200 Mbps, and heavy use requires 300+ Mbps.

The Future of Satellite Internet

As Amazon Leo prepares to launch, traditional providers like HughesNet and Viasat struggle to compete with LEO constellations’ superior speed and latency. Reports even suggest HughesNet may exit residential markets [12].

This competitive environment helps consumers find the best internet providers for their situations. Amazon Leo availability signals a fundamental shift in viewing internet access as a utility available regardless of location.

If Amazon successfully delivers on its promises, it could accelerate progress toward universal broadband access while driving innovation across the satellite internet industry.

Discover which internet providers serve your area, compare internet plans side-by-side, and find the perfect connection for your household’s needs. Get started in seconds by entering your zip code here.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly will Amazon Leo be available in my area?

Amazon Leo is expected to begin rolling out service in 2026, starting with five countries: the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The exact timing for specific locations hasn’t been announced, but service will initially focus on northern and southern latitudes before expanding toward the Equator. Amazon has not yet opened a public waitlist, though an enterprise preview program began in November 2025 for select business customers.

How does Amazon Leo compare to Starlink?

Amazon Leo and Starlink use similar low-Earth orbit satellite technology, so performance should be comparable. Both promise speeds of 100–400+ Mbps for residential users with low latency suitable for gaming and video calls. The key differences will likely emerge in pricing, equipment costs, customer service, and availability. Amazon’s manufacturing and logistics expertise may give it advantages in equipment delivery and scaling, while Starlink has a multi-year head start with over 9,000 satellites already in orbit versus Amazon’s 200+.

Will Amazon Leo internet work during bad weather?

Like all satellite internet services, Amazon Leo’s performance can be affected by severe weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, or thick cloud cover. However, LEO satellites like those used by Amazon Leo are less susceptible to weather interference than traditional geostationary satellites because they orbit much closer to Earth. The severity of weather-related disruptions will depend on your location and local weather patterns, though brief outages during extreme weather should be expected.

Can I use Amazon Leo internet for gaming and video calls?

Yes, Amazon Leo is designed specifically to support latency-sensitive applications like online gaming and video conferencing. Low-Earth orbit satellites orbit approximately 390 miles above Earth, compared to 22,000 miles for traditional satellite internet, dramatically reducing latency (the time it takes for data to travel). Prototype testing has shown Amazon Leo can deliver latency low enough for these applications, similar to Starlink’s performance. However, actual performance will depend on network congestion and coverage in your area once the service launches.

Sources

[1] Amazon News. “Amazon Leo.”

[2] Amazon Leo. “Homepage.”

[3] FCC. “FCC Authorizes Kuiper Satellite Constellation.”

[4] Amazon News. “Amazon Leo successfully launches first heavy-lift mission of 2026 with Arianespace.”

[5] Bloomberg. “Amazon Expects Kuiper to Serve Five Countries by Early 2026.”

[6] The Motley Fool. “Amazon (AMZN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript.”

[7] CNBC. “Amazon asks FCC for extension for Leo satellite internet service.”

[8] FCC. “Broadband Speed Guide.”

[9] Business Insider. “Elon Musk’s Starlink is adding 20,000 new users a day as it hits 9 million customers.”

[10] Starlink. “Starlink for Homes.”

[11] NTIA. “Broadband Equity, Access, And Deployment (BEAD) Program.”

[12] The Street. “29-year-old internet provider plans to cut ties with customers.”