On Monday, the company launched a “preview program” for its upcoming low-Earth-orbit internet service, Amazon Leo, marking the first time the system will reach real users. For now, participation is limited to select enterprise partners, including JetBlue and Hunt Energy Network.
Those early testers will use the Leo Ultra, Amazon’s highest-end antenna. According to the company, the two-way phased-array dish can reach up to 1Gbps downloads and 400Mbps uploads, making it what Amazon calls the fastest phased-array antenna currently available.
Amazon notes that the dish can deliver those upload and download speeds simultaneously. Based on specs alone, it appears aimed squarely at Starlink’s high-performance $1,999 dish released earlier this year, which typically exceeds 400Mbps and is expected to hit gigabit performance in 2025. (Starlink users can achieve gigabit speeds now, but only by combining multiple antennas.)
This trial phase will offer the first look at how Amazon’s network behaves in real-world use. Although Amazon has mentioned beta plans in the past, delays in launching its satellites left the timing uncertain. Meanwhile, Starlink already maintains a massive lead, serving more than 2 million users across industries from aviation to maritime.
The scale difference is stark: Starlink has deployed over 9,000 satellites, while Amazon currently has around 150 in orbit. The company will need many more before it can provide consistent global service. Still, Amazon may be able to carve out space in the market, especially as Starlink has run into congestion issues in certain regions due to rapid subscriber growth.
As part of the preview, Amazon is also supplying testers with the Leo Pro, the company’s standard antenna. Coverage and capacity will determine when more customers can join, but Amazon expects a broader commercial release sometime next year, potentially in the first quarter.
Like Starlink’s performance dish, the Leo Ultra is designed for demanding conditions, featuring a rugged, weather-resistant build intended to withstand extreme temperatures, precipitation, and high winds.
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