Amazon has enough satellites in orbit to launch its rival to SpaceX’s Starlink, aiming for commercial service by mid-2026. According to Chris Weber, the company's VP, the current fleet of 396 Leo satellites can support continuous internet coverage across certain latitudes.

Early adopters should brace themselves; initial performance will likely mirror the early days of Starlink, with frequent service interruptions and high latency. However, future launches are expected to improve these metrics significantly.

SpaceX’s Starlink already boasts over 10,000 satellites providing internet coverage in more than 160 countries, though performance varies widely based on location and time of day. Amazon has a long road ahead before matching this level of service, especially given its struggles with reusable launch vehicles.

For now, the competition is set to intensify, potentially driving innovation and lowering costs in the satellite internet sector. But for users, the wait may just get longer as both companies ramp up their operations.