Okay, here's a news article draft based on the latest information available, focusing on Amazon's Project Kuiper rebrand to 'Leo' and its impending commercial launch:
Amazon's satellite internet initiative, previously known as Project Kuiper, has officially rebranded to Amazon Leo as it gears up for commercial launch. The rebrand signifies a shift from the project's initial codename to a permanent brand that reflects the low Earth orbit (LEO) network underpinning the service.
The "Leo" designation is a direct reference to the low Earth orbit where Amazon's constellation of over 3,000 satellites will reside. These satellites will orbit at altitudes between 590 and 630 kilometers. Amazon has secured regulatory clearance to launch and operate 3,236 satellites in LEO. As of November 2025, the company has launched over 150 satellites. Amazon is required to launch and operate half of its satellite constellation by July 30, 2026, according to the terms of its license.
Amazon Leo aims to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet service to unserved and underserved communities worldwide. The service will compete directly with SpaceX's Starlink, which already has a significant head start with over 7,800 satellites in orbit and more than 6 million customers. Amazon plans to offer initial satellite broadband service to select enterprises by the end of 2025, with residential service slated to begin sometime in 2026.
Amazon Leo will offer three tiers of broadband service, with downlink speeds up to 100 Mbps, 400 Mbps, and 1 Gbps. Amazon is developing three customer terminal designs to meet different market needs. The "Leo Nano" terminal, a compact 7-inch square design, will offer speeds up to 100 Mbps. The "Leo Pro" terminal, with an 11-inch antenna, will support speeds up to 400 Mbps. The high-end "Leo Ultra" terminal, measuring 20 by 30 inches, will deliver speeds up to 1 Gbps. The Leo Ultra terminal is the fastest customer terminal in production, with download speeds up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds up to 400 Mbps. It is powered by a custom silicon chip optimized for applications such as videoconferencing, real-time monitoring, and cloud computing.
Amazon has secured several enterprise deals ahead of its consumer pricing reveal, including partnerships with JetBlue, L3Harris, DIRECTV Latin America, Sky Brasil and Australia's NBN Co. The company has also launched an "enterprise preview" program, allowing select business customers to test Leo's production hardware and software.
Amazon has invested heavily in its satellite internet venture, securing 92 rocket launches from United Launch Alliance, ArianeGroup, and Blue Origin. The company also purchased three launches from SpaceX. Amazon has a satellite production facility in Kirkland, Washington, capable of manufacturing up to five satellites per day.
The upcoming fourth launch of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket, carrying the next batch of production satellites for Amazon Leo, is planned for December 15, 2025.
