The Amazon corporation has made a significant leap towards launching its satellite internet service, named Amazon Leo (previously known by the codename Project Kuiper), which is expected next year. The company unveiled Leo Ultra—its most advanced antenna to date—and initiated a pre-access program for corporate customers. This move signals a transition from the deployment of the satellite constellation to a stage of commercial readiness, as over 150 satellites are already operational in orbit. The Leo Ultra antenna, designed as a terminal measuring 50 by 76 centimeters, tops Amazon’s line of three antenna devices and is aimed at the business segment and government entities. The device is capable of delivering download speeds up to 1 Gbps and upload traffic up to 400 Mbps; according to Amazon, this makes it the fastest mass-produced commercial phased array antenna solution. The design has no moving parts, ensuring quick installation and resistance to harsh weather conditions. Company leadership emphasizes that the system is oriented towards sectors operating far from traditionally reliable communication lines. The device utilizes proprietary silicon processors, patented radio frequency (RF) technologies, and advanced signal processing algorithms. This minimizes latency and increases throughput, which is critically important for cloud computing, video conferencing, and real-time monitoring. The platform also provides for seamless integration with existing corporate networks. Amazon is placing particular emphasis on providing solutions for isolated (private) networks. The service will include end-to-end encryption, management tools, and round-the-clock priority technical support. It will be able to connect directly to AWS and other cloud or on-premise infrastructures, bypassing the public internet. This is presented as a response to identified security issues in legacy satellite systems. Among the first organizations to join the early access program are representatives from the aviation, logistics, energy, and agricultural sectors. For instance, the airline JetBlue has demonstrated interest in using this service to provide high-speed Wi-Fi on its aircraft. The commercial launch of Amazon Leo is scheduled for next year, which will allow the company to enter a market currently led by Starlink. Amazon claims potentially higher maximum speeds compared to current Starlink business plans, while SpaceX is currently preparing a significant update to its network.
About the Author
