Amazon LEO UK: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

Amazon Leo UK – Introduction to Amazon Leo

Amazon LEO is Amazon’s new satellite broadband service, designed to deliver fast, low-latency internet through a network of more than 3,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. The programme was developed under the codename Project Kuiper, but Amazon retired that name in November 2025 and adopted Amazon Leo as its permanent consumer brand.

Interest in Amazon Leo is growing in the UK because it could give households and businesses another way to get reliable broadband without depending entirely on fibre, copper or mobile networks. That matters particularly in rural and remote areas, where satellite broadband can reach properties that are difficult or expensive to connect using terrestrial infrastructure. The service is also expected to become a significant competitor to Starlink, potentially giving UK customers more choice among low-Earth-orbit broadband providers.

Amazon has already secured regulatory approval to provide high-speed, low-latency satellite connectivity in the UK, although nationwide consumer availability, final prices and service plans remain dependent on the network’s rollout.

This guide explains how Amazon Leo works, when it may become available in the UK, the equipment customers will need, expected speeds and costs, likely coverage, and how it compares with Starlink and conventional home broadband. It also examines who may benefit most—and what remains unconfirmed in 2026.

What Is Amazon LEO?

Amazon Leo is Amazon’s satellite broadband service, designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet using a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Unlike traditional internet providers that rely on fibre, cable or mobile infrastructure, Amazon Leo beams internet connectivity directly from space to a customer terminal installed at a home or business. The service is intended to improve access to reliable broadband in locations where conventional networks are unavailable, slow or expensive to deploy.

Low Earth orbit refers to satellites positioned between approximately 160 and 2,000 kilometres above the Earth’s surface. Because these satellites orbit much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, data has a far shorter distance to travel. This significantly reduces latency, making activities such as video conferencing, online gaming, streaming and cloud applications far more responsive than with older satellite broadband services.

Amazon Leo works by connecting a customer terminal to the nearest satellites overhead. Those satellites communicate with ground stations and, where available, with one another using optical inter-satellite links, allowing internet traffic to be routed efficiently around the globe before reaching its destination. As satellites continuously move across the sky, the connection is seamlessly handed from one satellite to the next, providing continuous coverage.

The service began life in 2019 under the codename Project Kuiper, named after the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. The project was created to build a next-generation satellite broadband network capable of serving millions of customers worldwide. After several years of development, prototype testing and satellite launches, Amazon officially retired the Project Kuiper name in November 2025, rebranding the service as Amazon Leo to reflect the low Earth orbit constellation that powers the network.

What Was Project Kuiper? (Now Amazon Leo)

Before it became Amazon Leo, the company’s satellite internet initiative was known as Project Kuiper. The name was used internally and publicly from 2019 until November 2025, when Amazon officially rebranded the service ahead of its wider commercial rollout. While the branding has changed, the underlying mission remains the same: to build a global low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network capable of delivering fast, reliable broadband to homes, businesses and communities that lack dependable internet access.

At the heart of Amazon Leo is a planned constellation of more than 3,200 satellites orbiting approximately 630 kilometres above the Earth. Operating in low Earth orbit allows the network to deliver significantly lower latency than traditional geostationary satellite services, making it suitable for everyday internet use, including streaming, video calls, online gaming and remote working. Amazon has invested billions of dollars into the project and secured more than 80 commercial launch contracts to deploy the constellation over several years.

Full-scale satellite deployment began in April 2025, with Amazon steadily increasing the number of launches throughout 2025 and 2026. By mid-2026, the company had placed more than 375 satellites into orbit and announced plans to accelerate its launch schedule as it works towards wider consumer availability.

Amazon’s long-term goal is to provide affordable, high-speed internet to customers around the world while increasing competition in the satellite broadband market. Its biggest rival is Starlink, operated by SpaceX, which entered the market several years earlier and currently has a much larger satellite constellation and customer base. Although Starlink enjoys a significant head start, Amazon Leo is positioned as a major long-term competitor that could give consumers—including those in the UK—greater choice, improved coverage and more competitive pricing as the market matures.

When Will Amazon Leo Launch in the UK?

Amazon Leo is moving closer to commercial availability, but there is still no confirmed launch date for UK residential customers. While Amazon has begun deploying its satellite constellation and has stated that consumer services will begin once sufficient network coverage is in place, the company has not announced exactly when UK households will be able to sign up.

The rollout is taking place in phases. Following successful prototype testing and the launch of production satellites, Amazon has continued expanding the constellation throughout 2025 and 2026. In July 2026, Amazon confirmed it had completed enough satellite launches to begin initial commercial service later in the year, although availability will initially be limited before expanding as additional satellites increase network capacity and geographic coverage.

The UK is well positioned to be one of Amazon Leo’s early markets. In February 2025, Ofcom granted Amazon Kuiper Services Europe regulatory approval to provide non-geostationary satellite broadband services in the UK, with additional gateway licences supporting the infrastructure needed to deliver the service. These approvals mean there are no major regulatory barriers preventing a UK launch once the network is ready.

So why isn’t there a firm consumer launch date? The biggest factor is satellite deployment. Low Earth orbit broadband requires hundreds of operational satellites before consistent service can be offered across an entire country. Amazon is continuing to expand its constellation, test network performance and scale its ground infrastructure before opening the service to large numbers of customers. As a result, availability is expected to increase gradually rather than through a single nationwide launch.

We’ll continue to update this guide as Amazon announces UK availability, pricing, preorder information and supported locations, so check back for the latest developments.

How Much Will Amazon Leo Cost?

Amazon has not yet announced official UK pricing for Amazon Leo, so there is currently no confirmed cost for either the hardware or the monthly broadband service. The company has instead focused on expanding its satellite network and confirming the technology that customers will use once the service launches.

Although pricing remains under wraps, Amazon has made it clear that affordability is one of its key goals. The company has previously said it wants to make satellite broadband accessible to as many people as possible, suggesting it will price Amazon Leo competitively against existing providers such as Starlink.

Customers will also need to purchase a satellite terminal (often referred to as a satellite dish) to connect to the network. Amazon has unveiled three devices: Leo Nano, Leo Pro and Leo Ultra, each aimed at different types of users and performance requirements. While retail prices have not been announced, Amazon has revealed that its standard consumer terminal costs less than $400 to manufacture, leading many industry analysts to expect hardware pricing below comparable competing systems, particularly if Amazon chooses to subsidise equipment to grow its customer base.

As for the monthly subscription, industry expectations generally place Amazon Leo in a similar price bracket to Starlink, although Amazon could introduce lower introductory pricing or multiple speed tiers as the service expands. Until Amazon confirms UK plans, any figures remain speculative.

We’ll update this guide as soon as Amazon announces official UK hardware prices, monthly subscriptions and any launch offers.

How Fast Will Amazon Leo Be in the UK?

Amazon has not published final performance figures for its consumer broadband service, but it has confirmed that Amazon Leo is being designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet. During development, Amazon said its standard customer terminal is capable of download speeds of up to 400 Mbps, while its smallest residential terminal is expected to deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The company has yet to confirm typical upload speeds, although these are expected to be sufficient for video calls, cloud backups and everyday remote working. (aboutamazon.co.uk)

Speed, however, is only part of the story. Latency—the time it takes for data to travel between your device and its destination—is just as important for activities that require instant responses. Low latency makes websites feel snappier, reduces delays during video calls and improves responsiveness in online games and voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls. By comparison, tasks such as downloading large files or streaming films depend more on bandwidth than latency.

Like Starlink, Amazon Leo uses satellites in low Earth orbit, approximately 630 km above the Earth’s surface. This is dramatically closer than traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit at around 35,786 km. Because signals have much less distance to travel, latency is expected to be measured in tens of milliseconds rather than hundreds, providing a much more responsive experience than older satellite broadband services. (aboutamazon.com)

For most households, Amazon Leo should comfortably support 4K streaming, multiple connected devices, video conferencing and home working. Online gaming should also benefit from the lower latency offered by a low Earth orbit network, although real-world performance will ultimately depend on factors such as network congestion, weather conditions and the number of satellites serving your area after launch.

Where Will Amazon Leo Be Available?

Amazon Leo is designed to provide broadband wherever its satellite network has coverage, making it particularly valuable in areas where traditional fixed-line internet is unavailable or unreliable. Although Amazon has not yet published a detailed UK coverage map, the long-term goal is to offer service across the country once the satellite constellation is sufficiently deployed. (aboutamazon.co.uk)

For many people, the biggest benefit will be in rural and remote parts of the UK. Properties in the Scottish Highlands, rural Wales, Northern Ireland and isolated parts of England often have limited broadband options because extending fibre infrastructure can be expensive and technically challenging. Satellite broadband removes this dependency by connecting directly to satellites rather than relying on underground cables or nearby telephone exchanges.

That doesn’t mean Amazon Leo will only be available in rural locations. Customers in towns and cities are also expected to be able to subscribe, provided the service has launched in the UK and there is a clear view of the sky for the customer terminal. However, households with access to full-fibre broadband may find that fibre remains the faster and more cost-effective option for everyday use.

Ultimately, Amazon Leo is intended to complement—not replace—the UK’s existing broadband infrastructure. It is likely to be most beneficial for homes, businesses and mobile users in locations where fibre or reliable 5G services are unavailable, while also providing an alternative for customers who want greater choice in the growing satellite broadband market. As Amazon expands its constellation, UK coverage is expected to become increasingly comprehensive.

Amazon Leo vs Starlink

Amazon Leo and Starlink are both designed to solve the same problem: providing high-speed internet through constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. However, they’re at very different stages of development. Starlink has millions of customers worldwide and is already widely available across the UK, while Amazon Leo is still preparing for its commercial rollout.

Feature	Amazon Leo	Starlink
Download speeds	Up to 100 Mbps (Nano terminal) or up to 400 Mbps (standard residential terminal)	Typically 100–300+ Mbps
Upload speeds	Not yet confirmed	Typically 10–30 Mbps
Latency	Expected to be in the tens of milliseconds	Typically 20–40 ms
Hardware	Leo Nano, Leo Pro and Leo Ultra terminals	Standard, Mini and Performance terminals
Monthly cost (UK)	Not yet announced	From approximately £75/month (plan dependent)
Availability	Rolling out, UK date unconfirmed	Available across most of the UK
Portability	Expected, but plans not confirmed	Available with Roam plans
Reliability	Unknown until commercial launch	Well-established with millions of users

Although Amazon Leo is often described as a Starlink competitor, the two services are difficult to compare directly today because Amazon has not yet launched its consumer broadband service in the UK. Many of its final performance figures, pricing and subscription options remain unconfirmed.

From a technology perspective, the services are remarkably similar. Both rely on thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, dramatically reducing latency compared with traditional satellite broadband. Both also require a dedicated customer terminal with a clear view of the sky and are designed to provide broadband in locations where fibre or mobile networks are unavailable.

Where Starlink currently has the advantage is maturity. It already has an extensive satellite constellation, established infrastructure and years of real-world performance data. Customers know what speeds, reliability and support to expect because the service has been operating commercially for several years.

Amazon Leo’s biggest opportunity lies in competition. Amazon has repeatedly stated that affordability is a priority, and many analysts expect it to compete aggressively on both hardware and subscription pricing. If Amazon can deliver comparable performance while lowering the cost of satellite broadband, UK consumers—particularly those in rural areas—could benefit from greater choice and more competitive pricing across the market.

For now, Starlink remains the only proven LEO satellite broadband option available to most UK households. Amazon Leo has the potential to become a strong alternative, but its true performance, reliability and value won’t be known until the service launches commercially.

Is Amazon Leo Better Than Full Fibre?

For most UK households, full fibre broadband (FTTP) will remain the best choice where it’s available. Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) delivers internet through fibre-optic cables directly to your property, providing consistently high speeds, low latency and excellent reliability. Networks built by providers such as Openreach and CityFibre can now deliver gigabit-capable broadband to millions of homes across the UK, making fibre the preferred option for streaming, gaming, remote working and large file transfers.

Compared with satellite broadband, full fibre has several advantages. Because data travels through physical fibre-optic cables rather than wireless links to satellites, latency is typically lower and performance is less affected by environmental factors. Fibre connections also tend to offer more predictable speeds during peak periods and often provide better value for money, particularly in areas where multiple internet providers compete for customers.

That said, Amazon Leo isn’t designed to replace fibre everywhere. Instead, it aims to bring fast, modern broadband to homes and businesses that can’t access full fibre or where traditional broadband speeds remain poor. This is especially relevant in rural parts of the UK, where rolling out fibre infrastructure can be expensive and time-consuming. For these customers, Amazon Leo could offer a significant upgrade over ageing copper-based connections or slower fixed wireless services.

Cost will also play an important role. While Amazon hasn’t announced UK pricing, satellite broadband typically involves an upfront equipment purchase alongside a monthly subscription. By comparison, many fibre providers include the router as part of the contract, and installation is often free or subsidised for standard residential connections.

Ultimately, the best option depends on your location. If you have access to a reliable FTTP connection from providers such as Openreach or CityFibre, fibre is likely to offer the best combination of speed, reliability and value. However, if full fibre isn’t available—or isn’t expected to arrive for several years—Amazon Leo could become one of the most attractive alternatives when it launches in the UK.

Will VoIP Work With Amazon Leo?

Yes—VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is expected to work well with Amazon Leo. While Amazon hasn’t published an official list of supported VoIP providers, the service is designed as a standard broadband connection, meaning internet-based phone services should work in much the same way as they do over fibre or cable broadband.

One of the biggest advantages of Amazon Leo is its low latency. Unlike older satellite broadband services, where voice calls could suffer from noticeable delays, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are much closer to Earth, reducing the time it takes for voice data to travel across the network. This results in more natural conversations, faster call setup times and fewer awkward pauses, making Amazon Leo far better suited to VoIP than traditional satellite internet.

For home users, this means you should be able to use internet calling apps and dedicated VoIP services without issue. If you’d prefer to keep using your existing home phone, an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) allows a traditional handset to work over your broadband connection without replacing your current equipment.

Businesses can also benefit from Amazon Leo. Most modern cloud phone systems use the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard, allowing businesses to make and receive calls over an internet connection rather than a traditional phone line. Features such as auto attendants, call recording, voicemail-to-email, mobile apps and remote working all continue to work as normal, provided the broadband connection is stable.

For rural businesses, construction sites, farms and other locations where full fibre isn’t available, Amazon Leo could provide the reliable broadband connection needed to run a professional business phone system for the first time.

If you’re planning to use Amazon Leo at home, a residential VoIP service lets you keep your existing landline number while taking advantage of your new satellite broadband connection. Plexatalk’s home VoIP service starts from £4 per month, includes free UK number porting and works with broadband technologies including fibre, 5G and satellite internet. Home VoIP service

For businesses, the right VoIP solution depends on the number of users, required features and how your organisation operates. If you’re considering Amazon Leo for your office or remote site, it’s worth discussing your requirements before choosing a phone system. You can contact the Plexatalk team for advice on the most suitable business VoIP solution.

Can You Keep Your Landline Number?

In most cases, yes—you should be able to keep your existing landline number when switching to Amazon Leo. Rather than connecting your phone through a traditional copper telephone line, your number can usually be transferred (or ported) to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) provider, allowing you to make and receive calls over your broadband connection instead.

Number porting is a well-established process in the UK and is supported by the vast majority of geographic landline numbers. Once your number has been transferred to a VoIP service, you can continue using it much as you do today, whether that’s through a dedicated IP phone, an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) connected to your existing handset, or a mobile or desktop app provided by your VoIP service.

This means that switching to Amazon Leo doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your long-standing home or business phone number. As long as you choose a VoIP provider that supports number porting, your existing number can usually move with you, helping you avoid the hassle of notifying friends, family or customers of a new contact number.

The exact process and any associated costs can vary depending on your current provider and the VoIP service you choose. Before cancelling your existing landline, it’s always advisable to check that your number is eligible for porting and to let the new provider manage the transfer to minimise the risk of losing it.

We’ll be covering the process in more detail in our dedicated guide, “Can You Keep Your Landline When Switching to Amazon Leo?”, once it’s published.

Amazon LEO UK – Frequently Asked Questions

Amazon Leo UK: Final Thoughts

Amazon Leo has the potential to become one of the biggest developments in UK broadband for years. By combining low Earth orbit satellite technology with Amazon’s global infrastructure, it promises to bring fast, low-latency internet to homes and businesses that have traditionally been underserved by fixed-line networks.

While full fibre will remain the preferred option where it’s available, Amazon Leo could prove to be an excellent alternative for rural communities, remote properties and anyone struggling with slow or unreliable broadband. As the network continues to expand and commercial services become available, it will also introduce greater competition to the satellite broadband market, giving UK consumers more choice than ever before.

Although there’s still no confirmed nationwide launch date, progress has been rapid, and we’ll continue updating this guide as Amazon announces new information on UK availability, pricing, hardware and performance.

If you’re planning to switch to satellite broadband, don’t forget about your phone service. With the right VoIP provider, you can usually keep your existing landline number while enjoying all the benefits of your new connection. Explore our VoIP guides to learn how PlexaTalk can help make the transition simple and hassle-free.

Editor’s Note (July 2026): Amazon Leo is still rolling out commercially, and some details—including UK launch dates, pricing, subscription plans and real-world performance—have not yet been officially confirmed. This guide is based on Amazon’s latest announcements and publicly available information and will be updated as new details are released.