Starlink Rival Amazon Leo Opens Registrations in South Africa with Gigabit-Speed Promises
South Africa’s satellite internet landscape is heating up as Amazon Leo, the rebranded Project Kuiper, rolls out a dedicated webpage for users to sign up for its upcoming broadband service. While the platform is now live for registrations, the actual rollout remains in early stages, with public testing limited to select enterprise partners and a full commercial launch slated for 2026. This move positions Amazon as a direct challenger to Elon Musk’s Starlink, offering potential download speeds of up to 1 Gbps through its advanced Ultra terminal—surpassing Starlink’s current median speeds. As urban areas grow but 42% of households stay offline, solutions like Leo could bridge the digital divide, bringing high-speed connectivity to underserved regions. With partnerships already in play and regulatory talks underway, this development signals a new era for affordable, reliable internet across the country.
Amazon Leo’s entry comes at a time when demand for satellite broadband is soaring, driven by remote work, online education, and streaming needs. The service aims to reach unconnected communities, but early focus on businesses highlights its strategic push into enterprise markets. As registrations open, South Africans are eager to see how it stacks up against established players, though patience will be key until the network fully deploys.
What is Amazon Leo? A Closer Look at the Starlink Competitor
Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is Amazon’s ambitious low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet initiative designed to provide global broadband coverage. Launched with the goal of connecting the unconnected, it involves a constellation of over 3,236 satellites orbiting at altitudes between 590 and 630 km—slightly higher than Starlink’s typical setup, which could mean more stable coverage in some areas. The project kicked off six years ago and has already placed 153 production satellites in orbit, with plans to expand to 1,618 by July 2026 through more than 80 missions.
At its core, Leo uses cutting-edge optical inter-satellite links—often called space lasers—to beam data between satellites, cutting out the need for ground stations on long-distance transmissions. This tech boosts speed and reduces latency, making it ideal for real-time applications like video calls and gaming. The service offers tiered options: a standard terminal for up to 400 Mbps downloads, a Pro version for higher demands, and the flagship Ultra for businesses and governments, delivering up to 1 Gbps down and 100 Mbps up. Direct integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) sets it apart, allowing seamless cloud connectivity for enterprise users—a feature Starlink currently lacks.
The rebranding to Amazon Leo emphasises its LEO focus, drawing from the constellation Leo for a nod to strength and visibility in the night sky. Amazon has poured billions into the project, including advanced phased-array antennas that are compact and easy to install, aiming to make setup as simple as plugging in a router.
Amazon Leo’s Launch in South Africa: Registrations Open Amid Enterprise Trials
South Africans can now head to the Amazon Leo website to register their interest, joining a waitlist for early access once the service goes live. However, full availability is not expected until 2026, as Amazon ramps up satellite deployments and ground infrastructure. For now, the focus is on beta testing with enterprise partners, marking the first real-world trials of the network.
In South Africa, Amazon is teaming up with local players to smooth the rollout. Vodacom, through its parent Vodafone, will provide backhaul support to connect Leo’s satellites to the internet backbone, ensuring reliable service in Africa and Europe. Another key partner, Vanu Inc., will help extend coverage to rural areas, targeting spots where traditional networks fall short. These collaborations are crucial for meeting local needs, especially with 42% of households still without internet despite urban expansion.
Amazon is also working closely with regulators like the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to tick all the boxes, including Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) ownership rules. This proactive stance aims to avoid the regulatory hurdles that slowed Starlink’s entry, showing Amazon’s commitment to compliant, inclusive growth in the market.
Standout Features: Gigabit Speeds and AWS Integration
What makes Amazon Leo a strong contender? Its Ultra terminal stands out, promising download speeds of up to 1 Gbps—faster than Starlink’s median of around 100-200 Mbps in many areas. Uploads hit 100 Mbps, perfect for data-heavy tasks like remote monitoring or cloud backups. The phased-array antennas are a game-changer, being the first commercial models of their kind, with designs that are sleek and user-friendly.
The AWS tie-in is a big draw for businesses, offering direct links to cloud services for secure, low-latency operations. This could appeal to sectors like mining, agriculture, and logistics in South Africa, where reliable connectivity is key for efficiency. Leo’s higher orbit might also provide better signal stability in challenging terrains, though real-world tests will confirm this.
On the tech side, the space lasers enable mesh networking in orbit, reducing reliance on ground stations and potentially lowering costs over time. Amazon plans to deploy satellites via partners like United Launch Alliance (ULA), with the next mission set for 15 December 2025.
How Does Amazon Leo Compare to Starlink?
Starlink has a head start in South Africa, with kits already available and growing user base, but Leo is catching up fast. Starlink’s constellation is larger at over 6,000 satellites, offering wider coverage now, but Leo’s planned 3,236 birds aim for similar global reach by 2027. Speed-wise, Leo’s Ultra edges out Starlink’s current offerings, though Starlink is testing upgrades.
Pricing details for Leo are still under wraps, but Amazon hints at competitive rates to undercut rivals. Starlink’s monthly fees sit around R700-R1,000, so Leo could shake things up if it comes in lower. The AWS integration gives Leo an enterprise edge, while Starlink focuses more on residential users. Both use LEO tech for low latency, but Leo’s lasers might give it a slight advantage in data relay efficiency.
In SA, Starlink faced ICASA pushback initially but is now operational. Leo’s local partnerships with Vodacom and Vanu could help it navigate regulations smoother, potentially speeding up rural rollout where Starlink has made inroads.
Challenges and Regulatory Hurdles in South Africa
Launching satellite internet in South Africa is not without bumps. ICASA requires foreign providers to meet B-BBEE standards, including local ownership stakes, which Amazon is addressing through talks. Spectrum allocation and environmental concerns over satellite clutter are also on the table globally, though Leo’s design aims to minimise debris with de-orbiting features.
The digital divide remains a big issue—42% offline means huge potential, but affordability is key. High kit costs (Starlink’s is around R10,000) could limit access for low-income households. Amazon plans to tackle this with scalable options, but details are pending. Competition could drive prices down, benefiting consumers in the long run.
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