Amazon has shed its years-long secret project status. Since November 2025, the project is no longer called "Project Kuiper" but officially Amazon Leo – named after the path of the satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). What is behind it, when will it come to Switzerland, and how does it compare to Starlink?
What is Amazon Leo?
Amazon Leo aims to provide fast broadband connections for communities worldwide – especially for regions underserved or unserved by traditional internet solutions. The principle is the same as Starlink: thousands of satellites in low orbit deliver low-latency internet directly via antenna.
The system is based on a planned constellation of initially 3,236 satellites, later up to 7,774. Amazon has committed to investing more than 10 billion US dollars in the project.
Current status: How far along is Amazon Leo?
The first launch of 27 operational satellites took place on April 9, 2025. Since then, progress has been rapid – by September 2025, Amazon had launched a total of 129 satellites into orbit.
The results of the first tests are impressive: in speed tests, Amazon Leo reached over 1 gigabit per second in download. However, this peak speed is not intended for private customers. The maximum download speed for private customers is planned to be 400 Mbit/s – identical to Starlink’s value.
When will Amazon Leo come to Switzerland?
There is no official launch date for Switzerland yet. The commercial launch in Germany is planned for early 2026. Whether and when Switzerland will follow is open. The license granted by the US regulatory authority FCC obliges Amazon to have half of its satellites operational by July 2026 – a tight deadline that dictates the expansion pace.
Amazon Leo vs. Starlink: An initial comparison
| Feature | Amazon Leo | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Download (Private) | 400 Mbit/s | 400 Mbit/s |
| Satellites (current) | ~129 | over 7,000 |
| Availability in Switzerland | not yet | yes |
| Price in Switzerland | unknown | from CHF 50/month |
| Hardware | not yet known | from CHF 329 (kit) |
| Operator | Amazon | SpaceX / Elon Musk |
On paper, the technical values sound similar. The decisive difference today: Starlink costs CHF 50 per month in Switzerland with unlimited data volume and is available nationwide. Amazon Leo simply does not yet exist for Swiss private customers.
What Amazon Leo promised – and why it is different
Originally, Amazon positioned the project as an affordable alternative to Starlink. Current reports, however, show a clear strategic shift: Amazon is moving away from the promise of "affordability" and wants to position Amazon Leo more in the premium segment. Those hoping for a cheap Starlink competitor might be disappointed.
Is satellite internet worthwhile for Switzerland?
For most Swiss households, the honest answer is: no – at least not as a primary connection. Fibre optic, cable, and 5G cover the majority of the population, often at lower prices and with higher stability.
Satellite internet in Switzerland makes sense especially for:
- Mountain areas and Alpine passes without fixed-line connection
- Mountain huts and remote farms
- Mobile use with motorhome or boat
- Emergency solution in case of fixed-line failure
Conclusion
Amazon Leo is technologically promising and a serious Starlink competitor. For Swiss private customers, however, as of March 2026, it is not yet a real offer. Those who need satellite internet in Switzerland today cannot avoid Starlink. As soon as Amazon Leo announces concrete prices and a Switzerland launch date, a direct comparison will be worthwhile.
