Amazon is preparing to shake up the satellite internet market with its Leo service, which the company pledges will launch by mid-2026. CEO Andy Jassy announced the timeline in his annual letter, positioning the venture as a formidable competitor to existing providers by promising download speeds reaching 1Gbps—substantially faster than current alternatives available today.
Amazon Targets Mid-2026 Satellite Launch
The e-commerce giant is banking on several competitive advantages to capture market share. Beyond raw speed metrics, Amazon highlights plans for lower pricing and seamless integration with its existing ecosystem of products and services. The company also benefits from operating independently of other major space industry players, offering consumers a distinct alternative in the satellite internet space.
Speed and Pricing Drive Competitive Strategy
While specific details about the service remain sparse, select partners have already been testing Leo's capabilities, suggesting the infrastructure development is advancing steadily. Amazon faces significant challenges, however, having fallen considerably behind rivals in satellite deployment and launch cadence. Closing this gap will be critical to meeting the ambitious 2026 target.
Significant Deployment Gap Remains Challenge
In other tech news this week, Greece announced sweeping social media restrictions targeting minors. Beginning in 2027, children under 15 will be prohibited from accessing social media platforms, with enforcement mechanisms backed by the Digital Services Act. The policy reflects growing international concerns about social media's impact on youth mental and physical health.
Legacy Device Support Discontinuation Announced
Amazon also plans to discontinue support for older Kindle and Fire tablet devices manufactured in 2012 or earlier, effective May 20. Users of these legacy devices will lose the ability to purchase, borrow, or download new titles through Amazon's platforms, though existing content will remain accessible. The move underscores the company's shift toward supporting newer hardware generations.