Amazon’s Leo satellites expand across the globe, opening the door for high-speed connectivity in South Africa and setting up a new rivalry with Starlink. Picture Credits: Broad Cast Media Africa
By Aisha Zardad
South Africa – Amazon’s satellite internet project, Leo, has officially begun allowing users in South Africa—and several other countries—to register their interest in its service, marking a major step in the race for global satellite connectivity.
Previously known as Project Kuiper, Amazon Leo recently started public testing with select enterprise clients ahead of a wider commercial rollout planned for 2026. The network currently has 153 production satellites in orbit, with plans to expand to 1,618 satellites by mid-2026. While smaller than Starlink’s 10,000-satellite fleet, Amazon promises speeds of up to 1Gbps on its top-tier devices.
The first phase of deployment will see 578 satellites orbiting at around 630km above Earth, slightly higher than Starlink’s network. The system also uses 12 ground stations for internet backhaul and optical inter-satellite links—essentially “space lasers”—to relay signals in areas without ground infrastructure.
Three Tiers of Service: Amazon Leo will offer three service packages: Personal, Business, and Government, each paired with one of three antennas: Nano, Pro, and Ultra.
- Nano: Smallest and lightest, weighing about 1kg with an 18cm dish, supporting download speeds up to 100Mbps—sufficient for 4K streaming, gaming, and video calls.
- Pro: Mid-tier option, offering 400Mbps download speeds, larger and heavier at 2.4kg and 28cm across.
- Ultra: Top-of-the-line antenna with download speeds up to 1Gbps and uploads of 400Mbps, touted as the fastest satellite internet antenna globally. By comparison, Starlink’s enterprise kit reaches around 400Mbps.
Local Partnerships and Potential Launch: South Africa is one of many countries where users can register interest, although an official launch date has not yet been confirmed. Amazon is already engaging local telecom partners—including Vodacom—to bring services to underserved regions, using satellite backhaul to connect remote cell towers. Enterprise partner Vanu is participating in initial tests, allowing operators to bypass fibre and microwave infrastructure for faster rural coverage.
This strategy could see Amazon Leo beat Starlink to the South African market, as Starlink continues to navigate local telecom regulations, which include equity and ownership requirements. Analysts suggest Amazon’s approach of working with existing operators may allow for a launch as early as late 2026 or early 2027, ahead of its rival.
With its fleet expansion, advanced antennas, and local partnerships, Amazon Leo is positioning itself as a serious competitor to Starlink, offering South African consumers faster, more versatile satellite internet options.
