Amazon's Project Kuiper has been renamed Amazon Leo, and no, it's not because of the first American pope. In a statement Thursday, the company says the new name plays off the abbreviation LEO -- "a simple nod to the low Earth orbit satellite constellation that powers our network."Â
The satellite communications network is gearing up to be a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink.
Read more: Amazon Doubles Project Kuiper Satellite Fleet in Race to Catch Up to SpaceX's Starlink
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Amazon Leo aims to provide high-speed, satellite internet globally, particularly in rural communities and remote locations where traditional wired internet services are unavailable. The company says portable options will also be available.Â
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Locating local internet providers
In the press release, the company stated that it "will begin rolling out service once we've added more coverage and capacity to the network."Â
According to a September report by Bloomberg, service is expected to begin in early 2026 in at least five countries: the US, Canada, France, Germany and the UK. Speaking at a conference, Ricky Freeman, president of government solutions for the satellite venture, said also that by the end of this year, Leo is expected to have 200 satellites in space. By comparison, Starlink had nearly 8,000 satellites as of October.
It's unclear what the pricing will be for Amazon Leo. A representative for Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.