Amazon has agreed to buy Globalstar’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network for $11.57 billion, acquiring spectrum licenses, operations, and assets to combine with its Leo internet satellite constellation. Under the agreement, Amazon will continue to support satellite services such as Emergency SOS for iPhones and Apple Watches, and develop future services connecting them to its Leo satellite network. The deal is scheduled to close in 2027, pending regulatory approval.
The acquisition and Apple’s stake
Amazon’s purchase includes Globalstar’s spectrum licenses, operations, and satellite assets. Notably, Apple owned 20 percent of Globalstar prior to this deal. As part of the transaction, Amazon and Apple signed an agreement to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features.
This ownership stake underscores Apple’s existing involvement in Globalstar’s satellite service ecosystem. The acquisition consolidates multiple layers of satellite infrastructure—spectrum, operations, and physical assets—under a single operator.
Current satellite services for Apple devices
Globalstar currently provides direct-to-device services like Emergency SOS to the iPhone and Apple Watch. Globalstar partners with Apple to power satellite service on iPhone 14 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 3. These capabilities include the ability to text emergency services, message friends and family, request roadside assistance, and share location.
Amazon will continue to support these satellite services for current device models using Globalstar’s existing and planned LEO constellations, which are being manufactured by MDA Space. The companies will also collaborate on future satellite services using Amazon’s expanded Leo satellite network.
Globalstar versus Starlink’s approach
Globalstar’s service model differs from Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell (also called Starlink Mobile) service. Globalstar provides direct satellite-to-phone messaging, while Starlink’s approach ties connectivity to carriers to provide messaging services. Starlink is partnered with T-Mobile in the US, with additional partners extending globally.
Amazon’s announcement indicates it plans to work with mobile network operators “to deliver on that vision and extend reliable, high-speed connectivity to customers, no matter where they are in the world.” This suggests Amazon intends to support both direct-to-device messaging and carrier-integrated connectivity models.
Satellite network scale and capacity
The scale of each operator’s satellite network reflects different approaches to coverage and capacity. SpaceX reported more than 650 cellular-equipped satellites in orbit out of approximately 10,000 Starlink satellites at the end of 2025. By comparison, Globalstar’s low Earth orbit network has about 25 satellites in operation.
Amazon’s Leo constellation currently has over 200 satellites in orbit and is building toward over 3,200 satellites. Last month, Amazon said it was on track to double its annual launch rate for Leo. These differences in scale reflect different strategies for delivering satellite connectivity to mobile devices.
Timeline and next steps
The acquisition is scheduled to close in 2027, pending regulatory approval. The agreement with Apple establishes a staged approach: Amazon will maintain compatibility with current satellite-enabled devices and feature sets while building toward next-generation connectivity tied to Leo’s expanded satellite network. The regulatory approval process may affect the integration timeline between Globalstar-supported features and the future Leo network.
Source: The Verge