Amazon Reaffirms 2026 Leo Satellite Debut as AT&T Prepares to Resell Broadband

Amazon will begin initial service on its Leo satellite broadband network in 2026, CEO Andy Jassy told the company's earnings call, keeping the timeline for a business that has launched nearly 400 satellites across 14 missions. TradingView reported the reaffirmation on October 30, 2026.

Jassy and Olsavsky Hold the 2026 Target

Jassy told the call that "Amazon Leo remains on track to begin initial service this year." CFO Brian Olsavsky repeated the target and said Amazon expects to start capitalizing certain production and launch costs in the first quarter of 2027, later than he had previously predicted. "As a result, we will continue to expense the majority of Leo-related costs in Q4," Olsavsky said.

Amazon's agreement with AT&T, announced last month, gives Leo a route into business and government customers. AT&T will become the first major U.S. telecom provider to offer Leo connectivity to enterprise and public-sector customers, combining the satellite broadband with its fiber and 5G services and handling equipment, installation, billing and technical support.

Arianespace will launch 36 Amazon Leo satellites on its tenth Ariane 6 flight, designated VA271, from French Guiana, targeted no earlier than November 23, 2026, according to EuropaWire. The flight uses the Ariane 64 configuration with four P160C boosters.

Amazon's Satellite and Spectrum Deals

Amazon's satellite push extends beyond broadband. The FCC this week approved Amazon's $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar, a deal expected to close in 2027, and Amazon has separately proposed up to 5,105 direct-to-device satellites with deployment beginning in 2028. According to akta.pro company records, Amazon's total funding stands at $65.7 billion, with a $5.8 billion post-IPO debt round recorded in September 2026.

Earlier Amazon Moves

Amazon's June 2026 expansion plans included an additional $13 billion for AI and cloud infrastructure in India, bringing its planned 2026-2030 investment there to $48 billion, Yahoo reported. In the same month, Amazon signed a multiyear, multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning for optical fiber supply to U.S. data centers, CNBC reported. Amazon also hosted a Think Big Tech Day for more than 400 sixth graders at the AEP Foundation STEM Leadership Center in New Albany, Yahoo reported on October 29, 2026.

Arianespace's November Launch Window

Arianespace's VA271 mission carrying 36 Leo satellites is targeted for no earlier than November 23, 2026, from French Guiana. The company appointed Filipe de Oliveira as Chief Commercial Officer effective October 26, 2026, EuropaWire reported.