Amazon has unveiled Leo Ultra, its first antenna for the satellite internet service Project Kuiper, which was recently renamed to Leo, as it enters a private preview phase ahead of a commercial launch next year.
The Leo Ultra antenna is specifically designed for business and government customers and differs significantly from the smaller Pro and Nano antenna options. Measuring 20 by 30 inches, the antenna’s dimensions are notably larger than its counterparts, although Amazon has not yet released pricing or availability details.
According to Amazon, Leo Ultra is the fastest customer terminal in production, capable of delivering up to 1 Gbps downloads and 400 Mbps uploads simultaneously. It also includes private networking services and direct connections to Amazon Web Services and other cloud networks. In comparison, the 11-inch Pro antenna supports up to 400 Mbps downloads, while the 7-inch-square Nano handles up to 100 Mbps.
When compared to its competitors, Amazon’s Leo Ultra stands out in terms of its speed. Starlink’s Performance Kit, for instance, offers up to 400 Mbps downloads, which is roughly half of Amazon’s top speed. SpaceX plans to provide 1 Tbps total download bandwidth with its V3 satellite, and gigabit speeds are expected for Starlink customers next year.
Amazon’s private networking features may offer significant security benefits over older satellite networks. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Maryland have identified vulnerabilities in unencrypted geostationary orbit satellite links. These vulnerabilities expose sensitive information, including VoIP calls, SMS messages, login credentials, corporate emails, and other data transmitted without encryption.
