Amazon has acquired the satellite operations of Globalstar in a deal valued at approximately $10.8 billion, marking the tech giant’s most aggressive move yet into space-based direct-to-device connectivity.
The transaction — comprising roughly $4.6 billion in cash and stock currently valued at around $6.2 billion — hands Amazon control of Globalstar’s existing satellite fleet, ground infrastructure, and, critically, its mobile satellite service Band 53/n53 spectrum licences, which carry global authorisations.
Globalstar is a pioneer in non-geostationary orbit satellites and direct-to-device technology. The company operates a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites providing emergency communications, asset tracking, and connectivity services to consumers and enterprises worldwide. Among its most prominent partners is Apple, whose iPhone 14 and later models — as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — rely on Globalstar’s network for emergency satellite messaging and location sharing.
Amazon has confirmed it will continue supporting those Apple devices through Globalstar’s existing and planned satellite constellations. The company also said it would collaborate with Apple on future satellite services using its expanded Amazon Kuiper network.
The acquisition is central to Amazon’s long-term ambitions for Project Kuiper, its LEO broadband satellite venture. Beginning in 2028, Amazon plans to deploy a next-generation direct-to-device satellite system capable of delivering voice, data, and messaging services to standard mobile phones and other cellular devices — without the need for specialist hardware.
Amazon said its system would offer significantly greater spectrum efficiency than existing direct-to-cell technology, promising faster speeds and improved performance. By combining Globalstar’s established spectrum holdings and mobile satellite service capabilities with Kuiper’s scale and reach, the company is betting it can deliver seamless connectivity to consumer, enterprise, and government customers worldwide.
Panos Panay, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Devices and Services, said the acquisition was driven by a determination to reach the billions of people living and working beyond the range of existing terrestrial networks. “We’re excited to support Apple users through the Kuiper direct-to-device system and look forward to working with mobile network partners to help extend coverage to every corner of the planet,” he said.
The deal delivers a significant boost to Amazon’s satellite ambitions as it moves to close the gap on SpaceX’s Starlink, which has established a commanding lead in the commercial LEO market.
Globalstar Chief Executive Paul Jacobs welcomed the agreement, citing more than three decades of investment in LEO technology and globally harmonised spectrum. “The combination with Amazon Leo will advance innovations in digital connectivity that will benefit our customers and advance us towards a more intelligent, continuously connected world,” he said.
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