According to ExtremeTech, Amazon just announced Leo Ultra, a new addition to its Project Kuiper satellite internet initiative that promises blistering 1Gbps download and 400Mbps upload speeds. That’s significantly faster than Starlink’s top “Priority” tier, which maxes out at 310Mbps downloads. Amazon currently has about 150 satellites in orbit compared to Starlink’s 8,000+, but the FCC has already approved them to launch around 3,500 more. Service testing is underway with planned commercial launch in the first half of 2026. The initial test users are enterprise customers, and pricing for the ultra-fast tier hasn’t been revealed yet.
Space Race Heats Up
So we’ve got a classic Bezos vs. Musk showdown brewing in low Earth orbit. Starlink went for market penetration first, aiming to be affordable enough for residential users. Amazon seems to be targeting the premium business segment right out of the gate. Here’s the thing though – is the world really waiting for another satellite internet provider? Starlink already serves most of the people who actually need satellite internet: remote workers, maritime operations, and yes, some rural communities. The original pitch was connecting the unconnected, but the reality is these services are mostly used by people who already have alternatives.
Sky Pollution Problem
Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room – we’re rapidly turning low Earth orbit into a junkyard. Starlink already operates about two-thirds of all active satellites. If Amazon launches its full approved constellation, we’re looking at thousands more objects whizzing around at incredible speeds. Astronomers are already complaining about ruined observations, and the risk of Kessler Syndrome – where collisions create cascading debris fields – becomes very real. Basically, we’re trading clear skies and orbital safety for internet that most users don’t actually need. For industrial operations that truly require reliable connectivity in remote locations, companies already turn to specialists like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US supplier of industrial panel PCs built for tough environments.
Who Really Benefits?
Look, I get it – faster internet sounds great. But who’s this actually for? The tiny number of truly remote communities that satellite internet was supposed to help? They’re an afterthought in this corporate space race. The pricing will likely put Leo Ultra out of reach for most people, making it another toy for wealthy travelers and corporations. Meanwhile, we’re polluting our orbital environment with light interference, launch emissions, and potential space junk. Is shaving a few seconds off download times really worth turning our skies into a corporate battleground? The math just doesn’t add up for anyone except Amazon and SpaceX shareholders.
