Amazon lets businesses test rebranded Leo satellite service as it plays catchup to Musk's Starlink

On Monday, Amazon announced it will begin an enterprise testing phase for its rebranded satellite internet service, aimed at challenging SpaceX’s Starlink. Selected businesses will have the opportunity to evaluate the Amazon Leo production hardware and software, which is part of an initiative designed to gather insights and customize solutions tailored to various industries before a broader release. Earlier this month, Amazon transitioned its satellite internet project from Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo, unveiling a new website to promote the service. The name 'Leo' refers to low-Earth orbit, a region within 1,200 miles of Earth where Amazon plans to deploy its satellite constellation. Back in 2017, Amazon first revealed its ambitious plan to create a network of 3,236 low-Earth satellites aimed at delivering high-speed, low-latency internet to individuals, businesses, and government entities, utilizing square-shaped terminals. Since April, the company has successfully launched over 150 satellites through partnerships with launch providers, including United Launch Alliance and SpaceX. In its push to compete with Starlink, which currently leads the satellite internet market with nearly 9,000 operational satellites, Amazon has secured collaborations with various companies, including JetBlue, L3Harris, and Australia's NBN internet network. As part of the enterprise testing, Amazon is distributing its 'Pro' terminals and 'Ultra' antennas to participants. The company also revealed the final design of its Ultra model, capable of achieving download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second and upload speeds reaching 400 megabits per second, powered by a custom silicon chip, making it the fastest commercial phased array antenna available. Amazon plans to extend the testing program to additional customers as it continues to enhance the coverage and capacity of the Leo network, although it has not yet announced pricing or consumer availability.