"Amazon's budding satellite internet program is no longer called Project Kuiper. It is now known simply as "Leo." The name change comes as the company appears to be shifting its focus from "unserved or underserved" communities to securing larger commercial contracts. The satellite network has been in the works since 2019 and, as Amazon tells it, the name Project Kuiper was only ever supposed to be temporary."
"An archived version of the main FAQ page for Kuiper - published in late 2024 - puts the aforementioned "mission" to serve those communities right at the top of the post. Affordability is mentioned three times throughout, with Amazon calling it a "key principle of Project Kuiper." "Amazon has a longstanding commitment to low prices, and lots of experience building popular, low-cost devices like Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick,""
Amazon renamed its satellite internet program from Project Kuiper to Leo, referencing low-Earth orbit. The company appears to be shifting emphasis from serving unserved or underserved communities toward pursuing larger commercial contracts. Recent partnerships with Airbus and JetBlue position the network as a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink. Archived FAQ material emphasized affordability and a mission to bring fast, affordable broadband, and included a cost-focused Q&A citing Amazon's experience with low-cost devices. The current Leo FAQ omits the cost question and removes references to affordability. Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.
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