Launch Countries (2026 Beta)
Amazon has confirmed beta service in five countries starting late 2026 or early 2027, pending sufficient satellite deployment (578+ required for initial coverage):
A free public waitlist is open at leo.amazon.com. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy confirmed a mid-2026 consumer launch target in his annual shareholder letter. However, with 329+ satellites currently in orbit and 578 needed for Phase 1 service, broad availability is more realistically a 2027 timeline. Coverage will expand from northern and southern latitudes first, gradually filling toward the equator as more satellites are deployed.
Country-by-Country Availability
| Country / Region | Partner | Expected Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Direct (Amazon) | Late 2026 / early 2027 | Beta waitlist open — $210M+ in BEAD grants secured |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Direct (Amazon) | Late 2026 / early 2027 | Beta waitlist open |
| 🇫🇷 France | Direct (Amazon) | Late 2026 / early 2027 | Beta waitlist open |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Direct (Amazon) | Late 2026 / early 2027 | Beta waitlist open |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Direct (Amazon) | Late 2026 / early 2027 | Beta waitlist open |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | NBN (wholesale) | Mid-2026 onwards | Agreement signed — 300,000+ regional customers targeted |
| 🇧🇷🇦🇷🇨🇱🇨🇴🇪🇨🇵🇪🇺🇾 Latin America | DIRECTV / Sky Brasil | 2027 | Distribution agreement signed |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Amazon direct | 2027+ | $570M investment announced |
| 🌍 Rural Africa | Vanu Inc. | 2027+ | Connectivity agreement signed |
| ✈️ In-flight (airlines) | JetBlue (first) | 2027 | First airline partnership confirmed |
Globalstar Acquisition
In April 2026, Amazon announced an agreement to acquire Globalstar, a satellite communications company with 24 LEO satellites and 28 ground gateways worldwide. The deal adds licensed spectrum, regulatory approvals in 100+ countries, and established ground infrastructure — significantly accelerating Amazon Leo's global rollout beyond the initial five countries. The acquisition is expected to close in 2027.
Customer Terminals
Amazon has announced three self-install terminal models, all designed to undercut Starlink's $499 dish price:
| Terminal | Speed | Target Price | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leo Nano | Up to 100 Mbps | TBD (lowest tier) | Basic broadband, IoT |
| Leo Pro | Up to 400 Mbps | Under $400 | Residential, small business |
| Leo Ultra | Up to 1 Gbps | TBD (premium) | Enterprise, government |
All terminals use Amazon's custom silicon and are designed for DIY installation — no professional setup required. The standard Leo Pro terminal measures under 28 cm (11 inches) square. Monthly service pricing has not been announced, but Amazon is expected to compete aggressively with Starlink, potentially bundling with Prime memberships and AWS cloud services.
Coverage vs Starlink
For comparison, Starlink is available in 100+ countries with 4+ million subscribers and 10,460+ active satellites. Amazon Leo's coverage will start much more limited but expand as the launch cadence increases. The three-shell orbital architecture (590/610/630 km) is optimised for latitudes between 30° and 56° — covering the initial five launch countries well. Equatorial coverage requires more satellites. China's rival Guowang and Qianfan constellations are also deploying rapidly, adding competitive pressure from the east.