SpaceX currently dominates the satellite internet market with Starlink, but its competitors are picking up the pace—and Amazon is now taking a big step forward. On November 24, the company unveiled the Leo Ultra, a heavily upgraded version of the standard Leo antenna. With several technical improvements and dramatically higher performance, Amazon calls it “the fastest client terminal in production.”
Speeds of up to 1 Gbps – 2.5 times faster than Starlink
According to Amazon, the new Leo Ultra terminal can deliver download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 400 Mbps. This makes the antenna a new industry record holder. In comparison, Starlink’s fastest Performance Kit offers up to 400 Mbps download – that’s a full 2.5 times lower than Amazon’s theoretical top speed.
While such maximum speeds are rarely achieved in practice, the specs show just how ambitious Amazon’s ambition is. On paper, the Leo Ultra is in a class of its own.
Security and private networks in focus
Performance is not its only strength, however. Leo Ultra also excels with support for private networks and direct connectivity to Amazon Web Services (AWS), an increasingly important focus area for the satellite industry as research has revealed security issues with traditional, unencrypted geostationary satellite connections.
Such connections allow attackers to intercept messages, VoIP calls and emails, as everything is sent in clear text. With private networks, the risk is dramatically reduced – making Leo Ultra particularly attractive to businesses, government agencies and other institutions with high security requirements.
Aimed at the corporate market – launching next year
Initially, Leo Ultra will be marketed primarily towards businesses and the public sector. Amazon has not yet revealed the price or subscription costs that will accompany the new terminal and its associated 1 Gbps service. The commercial launch is planned for early next year.
With Leo Ultra, Amazon is positioning itself as a serious contender to Starlink – and sending a clear signal that the fight for the future of satellite internet has only just begun.
