Amazon is challenging SpaceX’s Starlink with its new satellite internet service, starting with the launch of its first antenna, Leo Ultra. The company announced Monday that this high-performance terminal is entering private preview testing, with a commercial rollout planned for next year. Unlike many existing satellite internet options, Leo Ultra targets business and government clients, promising significantly faster speeds and more secure connections.
Speed and Specs: A Direct Challenge to Starlink
The Leo Ultra antenna is designed to deliver up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) download speeds and 400 Megabits per second (Mbps) upload speeds simultaneously. This performance surpasses the current Starlink Performance Kit, which tops out at around 400Mbps. Amazon also plans to release two smaller antennas: a Pro model with 400Mbps down and a Nano antenna reaching 100Mbps.
SpaceX is planning upgrades to its V3 satellites, promising up to 1 Terabit per second (Tbps) total download bandwidth, but Amazon is already marketing a product with gigabit-level speeds now. This puts immediate pressure on SpaceX to accelerate its rollout of faster services.
Security Advantage: Encrypted Connections Matter
Beyond bandwidth, Amazon Leo boasts private networking services with direct connections to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and other cloud networks. This is a critical advantage: recent research from UC San Diego and the University of Maryland has revealed serious security flaws in unencrypted geostationary (GEO) satellite links. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to intercept sensitive data, including calls, texts, and login credentials. Amazon’s encrypted connections mitigate this risk, making Leo Ultra a more secure option for businesses handling confidential information.
Why This Matters
The competition between Amazon and SpaceX in satellite internet is reshaping the industry. For years, satellite internet has been slow, expensive, and insecure. Now, with both companies pushing for gigabit speeds and improved security, customers – especially businesses – will benefit from faster, more reliable connectivity.
Amazon’s entry into the market accelerates the evolution of satellite internet, forcing both companies to innovate faster and offer better value. This is good news for anyone who needs high-speed, secure connectivity in remote or underserved areas.
