Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. Photo: Amazon

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said Amazon’s satellite constellation is scheduled to launch service in mid-2026, in a letter to shareholders on Thursday. 

Jassy did not share a more specific timeframe for the rollout, but pointed to what he described as the constellation’s unique benefits in terms of performance, cost, and integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

“The performance will be stronger (about six to eight times better on uplink, and two times better on downlink) than what customers have access to now. Second, this performance will come at a lower cost than alternatives,” Jassy said, seemingly hinting that Amazon Leo will cost less than Starlink. 

“And third, Leo will seamlessly integrate with AWS to enable enterprises and governments to move data back and forth for storage, analytics, and AI,” Jassy added. 

Amazon currently has a three-terminal lineup ranging from a portable design to Leo Ultra, which can support download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. 

Jassy shared his perspective on the potential value of the investment alongside investments Amazon has made in rural delivery and robotics. Earlier this year, the company advised investors that its spend on Amazon Leo will reach more than $1 billion just this year. 

“Amazon could be successful for a long time without investing this way in robotics, faster rural delivery, and broadband connectivity for underserved customers and geographies. But, we believe we can invent ways to change what’s possible for customers, are hungry to do so, and are confident these investments will yield meaningful growth and return on invested capital for the company,” Jassy wrote in the letter. 

Amazon has launched 241 satellites in the constellation after the most recent launch last weekend with United Launch Alliance. Chris Weber, the company’s vice president for Leo Business, recently said during SATShow Week that there are more than 200 satellites in the company’s processing facility at Cape Canaveral, and Amazon is planning for 20-plus launches this year as it scales the constellation. 

Weber also gave some insight into how Amazon plans to start service for the constellation, rolling out initially in two bands, one in the northern hemisphere and one in the south, Weber said. As more satellites are launched, expanding the coverage zones, the bands will extend toward the equator and the poles. 

Both bands already have ground infrastructure installed and running. When a geography goes live, it will provide services to all categories of customers: consumers, businesses, and governments.