Starlink Now Has an Official Competitor: Amazon Leo

Metaverse Planet November 16, 2025Last Updated: November 20, 2025

1 minute read

Amazon has rebranded its satellite internet initiative, known as Project Kuiper, under the name Amazon Leo. The company plans to place 3,000 satellites into orbit by 2026 with this project, a competitor to Starlink.

Amazon rebranded its long-running satellite internet project, Project Kuiper, as “Amazon Leo.” The name “Leo” emphasizes that the project operates via Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This name change is one of the important steps Amazon is taking in the project’s commercialization process.

The project’s goal is to offer high-speed connectivity to remote and rural areas where internet access is limited. To date, the company has placed a total of 72 satellites in orbit over 6 launches. The target is to increase this number to 3,000 by the end of 2026.

Amazon Leo will directly compete with SpaceX‘s Starlink network. However, Amazon has not yet begun commercial service. The first user tests are planned to start at the end of 2024, with the wide-scale launch planned for 2026.

According to Amazon’s statement, the aim is to move forward with a simpler, more understandable, and globally recognizable name with the new brand. This change indicates both that the technological infrastructure is complete and that a new era is beginning on the user side.

Starlink vs. Amazon Leo: At a Glance

Feature	Starlink	Amazon Leo
Parent Company	SpaceX	Amazon
Project Name	Starlink	Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper)
Technology	High-speed satellite internet	High-speed satellite internet (direct competitor)
Orbit	Low Earth Orbit (LEO)	Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Constellation Goal	Has approval for ~12,000 satellites (with over 6,000 already launched).	Plans to deploy over 3,000 satellites by 2026.
Current Status	Fully Operational and commercially available in many countries.	In Development/Testing. Prototype satellites are in orbit; full commercial service is expected by 2026.