Amazon has announced the launch of Leo Ultra – its latest satellite internet antenna, described as "the fastest customer antenna in production."
Currently undergoing private testing, this antenna is primarily targeted towards businesses and government entities. Measuring 20×30 inches, it promises download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of 400 Mbps, along with private networking services and direct connections to AWS and cloud platforms.
Additionally, Amazon showcased two smaller models: Pro with speeds up to 400 Mbps and the compact Nano with speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Compared to Starlink, which currently provides speeds of up to 400 Mbps, Leo Ultra appears significantly faster, although SpaceX claims to upgrade its speeds to gigabit levels next year with new satellites.
Amazon also emphasizes security: the private networking capabilities of Leo Ultra could offer a substantial advantage, as recent studies from the University of California, San Diego, and Maryland uncovered serious vulnerabilities in old unencrypted satellite networks, which allowed for interception of calls, logins, SMS, and corporate communications. This highlights the need for modern, secure satellite solutions that Amazon is providing.
It's worth noting that Amazon officially rebranded its satellite internet project from Project Kuiper to Amazon Leo just last week, hinting at its low Earth orbit (LEO) technology.