Amazon Leo satellite internet launches mid-2026 with speeds up to 400 Mbps, promising rural users a Starlink alternative if deployment meets FCC deadlines.

Amazon is turning to satellite internet as another potential growth driver.

Amazon is making a massive $11 billion move to take on Starlink, signaling a new phase in the battle for global satellite internet.

Globalstar shareholders will have the option of receiving 0.321 shares of Amazon stock or $90 in cash for each share of Globalstar stock they own. The $90 price represents upside of 31% to the stock's close on April 1, a day before The Financial Times reported deal talks were in progress.

With a SpaceX IPO pending, Amazon's Globalstar move spotlights its push to fuse satellite connectivity with AI-powered cloud services, today, April 14, 2026.

The satellite connectivity race has shifted into high gear. Billions of people and devices still sit beyond the reach of traditional cell towers, especially in remote regions, disaster zones, and mobile fleets.

Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) will launch mid-2026, according to Andy Jassy. On Wednesday, the Amazon CEO dropped the news in his annual letter to shareholders. The company says Leo will support download speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Andy Jassy tells shareholders that long-awaited rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink is ‘on the verge’ of going live

Amazon Leo, the retail giant’s satellite internet service formerly known as Project Kuiper, announced its new antenna for commercial airplanes. The hardware will enable air travelers speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second for downloads and 400 megabits per second for uploads.