Is Amazon Bedrock generally available to all AWS customers, or is it currently in a limited preview or region-specific release?

Amazon Bedrock is generally available to all AWS customers as of September 2023, though its availability varies by region. AWS initially launched Bedrock in a limited preview in April 2023, but it transitioned to general availability (GA) later that year. This means any AWS customer with an account in a supported region can use Bedrock without requiring special approval. However, AWS services often roll out regionally, and Bedrock is no exception—it is not available in every AWS region globally. Developers should check the AWS regional services list to confirm whether Bedrock is accessible in their specific location.

While Bedrock is generally available, its regional rollout impacts how developers access it. For example, as of early 2024, Bedrock is supported in regions like US East (N. Virginia), US West (Oregon), Asia Pacific (Tokyo), and Europe (Frankfurt), among others. Customers in these regions can activate Bedrock via the AWS Management Console or API. However, users in unsupported regions cannot access the service unless AWS expands its availability. Additionally, even within supported regions, certain foundational models hosted on Bedrock—like Anthropic’s Claude or Amazon Titan—might require separate enablement through the console. This means developers must not only verify regional support but also ensure their account has access to specific models they intend to use.

For practical implementation, developers should start by navigating to the Bedrock section in the AWS Console. If the service is available in their region, they can provision it immediately. If not, they may need to wait for AWS to expand coverage or consider using Bedrock in a supported region via cross-region API calls (though this could introduce latency). It’s also worth noting that while Bedrock itself is GA, some features or models within the service might still be in preview or require additional permissions. AWS typically updates its documentation with the latest regions and model availability, so checking the official Bedrock FAQ or release notes is advisable before starting a project. This approach ensures developers can plan around regional constraints and model access requirements effectively.