It’s The End of Starlink’s Monopoly: Amazon Leo Announces That It Now Has Enough Satellites to Launch
Amazon Leo now has more than 390 satellites in orbit. While it is still a long way from its final goal, this minimum allows it to launch a reliable service at initial latitudes starting this year. This future competitor to Starlink is expected to have more than 3,000 satellites by July 2029.
For several years, Amazon has aimed to compete with Starlink, which holds a near-monopoly on satellite internet. Today, the e-commerce giant is very close to its goal. In a post on X, Chris Weber, Vice President in charge of Amazon Leo, stated that the Amazon Leo constellation now numbers more than 390 satellites. Amazon is still very far from having the same number of LEO satellites as Starlink and is also far from its goal of surpassing 3,000 satellites. However, according to the executive, this number finally allows Amazon Leo to offer a reliable service across the first latitudes.
“There is still a lot of work to be done—including getting all these new satellites to their respective altitudes—but we have completed enough launches for the initial service this year, and future missions will only increase coverage and capacity,” he also explained. It is also worth noting that Amazon has already started testing its “Ultra” plan, which allows businesses to reach download speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
Amazon has already started testing its “Ultra” plan, which allows businesses to reach download speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
The company diversifies partnerships in the face of a launch shortage
The deployment of the Amazon Leo constellation is facing a shortage of rocket launches, which is slowing it down. The company even obtained an extension from US authorities regarding the deadline by which it must deploy half of its satellites. However, it will still need to complete its Leo constellation (more than 3,000 satellites) before July 2029.
To ensure the deployment of its constellation, Amazon relies on several partnerships. Its most recent satellites were launched by a United Launch Alliance rocket, but the company is also using rockets from Arianespace as well as SpaceX.
Otherwise, it is also worth remembering that Amazon is already turning toward mobile satellite internet to compete with Starlink Mobile. This year, the company announced the acquisition of Globalstar, the firm that provides satellite connection services for the iPhone.
This year, Amazon announced the acquisition of Globalstar, the firm that provides satellite connection services for the iPhone.
Overview: Amazon & Starlink
Amazon (Project Kuiper / “Amazon Leo”)
Amazon is a global technology giant. Everyone best knows it for e-commerce and cloud computing (AWS). Its satellite branch, referred to here as Amazon Leo (commercially known as Project Kuiper), is an initiative to build a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Its goal is to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to underserved communities, businesses, and mobile networks worldwide, directly leveraging Amazon’s massive logistics and infrastructure network.
Starlink
Operated by SpaceX, Starlink is the world’s leading satellite internet constellation. By utilizing thousands of small mass-produced satellites in low Earth orbit, it delivers high-speed internet globally, especially to remote areas where traditional fiber cables cannot reach. Starlink pioneered the modern commercial LEO market, establishing a massive head start and a functional monopoly on global satellite broadband before facing newer competitors like Amazon.
Links
- Amazon Leo – Amazon
- Amazon Leo – Amazon News
- Sell pre-owned Satellite device online – iGotOffer
Amazon Leo vs Starlink Real Life Testing (Size, Speed, Power & What We Actually Know) [Video]
Video uploaded by TRIO Flatmount on February 4, 2026.
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