Amazon Leo Internet Service Delayed to Mid-2026, CEO Andy Jassy Says
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced the company's Leo satellite internet service will launch in mid-2026, marking another delay for the project. Amazon has government approval for 3,236 satellites but has only launched 241 so far.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy revealed in his annual letter to shareholders that the company's Leo satellite internet service will officially launch in mid-2026. The announcement comes after previous delays for the ambitious project designed to compete with SpaceX's Starlink.
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon to deploy 3,236 Leo satellites into space. However, the company has only launched 241 satellites so far, putting it well behind schedule. Amazon committed to having half of its constellation - or 1,618 satellites - deployed by July 2026.
The slow progress has forced Amazon to request an extension from FCC Chair Brendan Carr. Despite the delays, Jassy said Amazon already has meaningful revenue from the project and emphasized that Leo will integrate with Amazon Web Services to help businesses and governments move data for storage and artificial intelligence work.
Leo represents Amazon's major bet on space-based internet, aiming to provide high-speed broadband to underserved areas worldwide. The service would offer an alternative to Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite internet market.
Leo could give millions of people a new choice for high-speed internet, especially in rural areas where options are limited. It would compete directly with Elon Musk's Starlink service, potentially lowering internet costs through competition.
Watch for Amazon's progress toward its July 2026 deadline to deploy half of its satellite constellation and the FCC's decision on the requested extension.
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