- Amazon Leo replaces Project Kuiper and is preparing its commercial phase with more than 150 LEO satellites in orbit.
- In Spain, registration with the CNMC and the first active land station in Santander to support the network.
- Three user antennas: Nano (up to 100 Mbps), Pro (up to 400 Mbps) and Ultra (up to 1 Gbps).
- Roadmap set by the FCC requirement: have half of the constellation operational before July 2026.
Amazon has completed its brand transition: The historic Project Kuiper is now called Amazon Leo, the trade name that will accompany the launch of its internet network via satellite in low Earth orbitThe change comes after several technical and regulatory milestones and anticipates a service-focused phase.
For the European market, and especially Spain, the movement is significant: The company is already registered as an operator with the CNMC and has activated its first land station in Santander, while continuing to expand its constellation and preparing the offer for homes, businesses and administrations.
What is Amazon Leo and why is it replacing Kuiper?
The new brand reflects the essence of the network: a LEO constellation designed to bring high-speed broadband to areas with limited or unstable coverageKuiper was the code name that accompanied the initiative from its beginnings, inspired by the Kuiper Belt, and now gives way to a definitive identity oriented towards its commercial exploitation.
According to Amazon, they are already operating more than 150 satellites in orbit and have one of the world's largest production lines to accelerate deployment. The company It signed a broad package of launch contracts with Arianespace, ULA, Blue Origin and also SpaceX, and has successfully completed prototype missions, preliminary steps to service delivery.
Coverage and roadmap in Europe and Spain
In Spain, Amazon has taken concrete steps: its online subsidiary is registered with the CNMC As an operator, it has completed the construction of a ground station at the Santander Teleport (Cantabria) and has frequencies available for satellite links. A final spectrum usage permit is pending for the link. customer antennas with the Web.
Operational planning will be conditioned by the regulatory framework: the FCC requires that half of the constellation (up to 3.236 satellites) be in service before July 2026With this goal in mind, the company will continue to increase coverage and capacity before launching the service across Europe.
The architecture includes laser links between satellites for traffic route in space without landing when necessary, a useful capacity to maintain service continuity in regional incidents and improve network resilience.
User equipment and speeds
Amazon has developed client terminals with antennas of phased matrixincluding the company's first commercial device to support gigabit speeds. The offering consists of three devices designed for different uses, with simplified installation and durability for demanding environments.
- Leo NanoPortable, 18 x 18 cm and 1 kg in weight, with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Designed for mobility and connectivity where fixed-line networks are unavailable.
- Leo Pro28 x 28 cm and 2,4 kg, up to 400 Mbps. The standard option for households and SMEs with multiple devices.
- Leo Ultra51 x 76 cm, performance up to 1 Gbps. Designed for companies and administrations with high capacity needs.
For residential use, Amazon promises enough bandwidth to video calls, 4K streaming and intensive uploads/downloads, with the reduced latency typical of low Earth orbit. The home version will be portable, so the user can take their antenna wherever they need a connection.
Clients and use cases
The company has announced agreements with leading operators and companies, entre ellos JetBlue (onboard connectivity), DIRECTV Latin America, Sky Brazil, NBN Co. y L3HarrisThe goal is to cover everything from residential services to critical applications in logistics, aviation, defense, or emergencies.
Furthermore, Amazon anticipates close integration with its technology ecosystem, especially with AWS and also to to offer a secure, low-latency complementary terrestrial network that enhances the value of satellite connectivity in professional and governmental uses.
Competition and positioning
Amazon Leo will compete with actors like StarlinkEchoStar, AST SpaceMobile, or Lynk Global. The value proposition is based on its industrial capacity (satellite production), its LEO network with inter-satellite optical links, and a scalable portfolio of terminals for different user profiles.
for now there is not public prices nor a firm date for its mass marketing in Europe; Those interested can join the waiting list at leo.amazon.com to receive notifications about availability, coverage and service conditions in each country.
With the rebranding to Amazon LeoThe company is consolidating the commercial phase of its LEO network: more than 150 satellites, large-scale production, agreements with clients, and a firm foothold in Spain with registration at the CNMC and a station in Santander. As coverage and capacity increase, The proposal aims for low-latency satellite broadband for homes, businesses, and government agencies.with tiered terminal options and a focus on the network resilience.
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