Amazon is officially allowing businesses to test-drive its satellite internet service, marking a major step in its battle against SpaceX’s Starlink. On Monday, the company confirmed it is shipping hardware to a select group of corporate partners. This “enterprise preview” allows Amazon to fine-tune its system in the real world before opening the doors to the wider public.
The service also has a fresh identity. Earlier this month, Amazon dropped the “Project Kuiper” codename in favor of “Amazon Leo.” The new name refers to low Earth orbit, the region of space about 1,200 miles above Earth where the company is building its network.
For this early trial, participants are getting their hands on the “Ultra” terminal. This is Amazon’s top-tier antenna, designed for heavy-duty use. The company revealed the device’s final look on Monday, boasting download speeds of 1 gigabit per second and upload speeds of 400 megabits per second. A custom-built silicon chip powers these square-shaped antennas, which Amazon claims are the fastest of their kind currently in production.
Big names are already signing up. JetBlue, defense contractor L3Harris, and Australia’s NBN network are among the first to test the connection. Amazon says this feedback phase is vital. They want to tailor the service to different industries, from aviation to remote operations, ensuring the signal stays strong even in tough conditions.
However, Amazon is playing catch-up. Elon Musk’s Starlink currently dominates the skies with nearly 9,000 satellites in orbit. In contrast, Amazon has launched roughly 150 satellites since April, using rockets from partners such as United Launch Alliance and SpaceX. The ultimate goal is to operate a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide high-speed internet to governments, corporations, and regular consumers worldwide.
While the technology is moving fast, Amazon is keeping quiet on the price tag. There is still no word on how much a monthly subscription will cost for regular families or when exactly the service will go live for home use. For now, the company is focused on launching more satellites to boost coverage and capacity for its new business testers.
