Amazon has agreed to purchase Globalstar's satellite network, operations, and spectrum licenses for $11.57 billion in cash, according to reports from The Verge, TechCrunch, and The Register.
The $90-per-share deal aims to bolster Amazon’s nascent 'Amazon Leo' satellite constellation, formerly known as Project Kuiper. Amazon intends to use the acquisition to develop direct-to-device services that compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
As part of the transaction, Amazon has also reached an agreement with Apple to maintain and expand satellite connectivity for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple, which currently owns 20 percent of Globalstar, will continue to use the existing network for features like Emergency SOS.
"In addition to the agreement with Globallar, Amazon and Apple signed an agreement to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features," Amazon stated in a release cited by The Verge.
Under the new terms, Amazon will support iPhone and Apple Watch models currently using Globalstar’s existing and planned low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations, which are manufactured by MDA Space. The company also plans to collaborate with Apple on future services using the expanded Amazon Leo network.
The race for orbital dominance
While the acquisition provides Amazon with critical infrastructure, the scale of the two competitors remains vastly different. Globalstar currently operates approximately 24 to 25 satellites in low Earth orbit. In contrast, SpaceX’s Starlink operates more than 10,000 satellites, with roughly 650 equipped for cellular services as of the end of 2025, according to The Verge.
Amazon Leo currently has over 200 satellites in orbit, with a long-term goal of deploying a network of more than 3,200 satellites. The company recently requested an extension from the FCC for a deadline that required 1,600 satellites to be in orbit by July of this year, TechCrunch reported.
Beyond physical hardware, the deal provides Amazon with valuable midband spectrum. The Register notes that Globalstar holds exclusive access to Band 53, a block of spectrum ranging from 2483.5 to 2495 MHz. This frequency is optimized for high-performance, low-latency, and interference-free connectivity, making it ideal for direct-to-device communication.
Amazon plans to integrate this spectrum into its Leo portfolio to bridge the gap between traditional cell towers and satellite coverage. The company aims to build a network that will "support hundreds of millions of customer endpoints around the world," according to TechCrunch.
Amazon’s expansion into the space sector follows recent announcements regarding its growing client list. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently highlighted customers including Delta Airlines, AT&T, Vodafone, NASA, and Australia’s National Broadband Network.
The acquisition is scheduled to close in 2027, pending regulatory approval. While Globalstar has agreements to acquire more than 50 new satellites and uses SpaceX for launches, Amazon’s takeover of the Globalstar assets marks a significant shift in the orbital landscape.
