Amazon to buy Globalstar for $11.57B in bid to flesh out its satellite biz

Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 1:55 pm

Amazon to Acquire Globalstar in Satellite Push

Amazon is making a significant move to bolster its presence in the burgeoning satellite connectivity market with the announcement of a $11.57 billion acquisition of Globalstar. The deal, which will see Amazon acquire all of Globalstar's satellite operations, infrastructure, and spectrum licenses, is a direct challenge to the dominance of Elon Musk's Starlink.

The acquisition is a strategic move to accelerate the growth of Amazon's own satellite business, Amazon Leo. The company plans to integrate Globalstar's assets to offer direct-to-device services, with a launch slated for later this year. Amazon Leo has already secured customers, including Delta Airlines, AT&T, Vodafone, and NASA. The company recently showcased a new satellite internet antenna designed for commercial jets, promising high-speed internet during flights.

Amazon Leo's initial plans involve a constellation of over 3,200 satellites in low-Earth orbit, though the project has faced delays. Currently, only about 200 satellites have been launched, and Amazon sought an extension from the Federal Communications Commission to meet its deployment deadlines.

Globalstar, with its existing network of over 24 satellites, provides services like emergency text messaging and location sharing, notably for Apple's iPhone 14 and later devices. Amazon has also secured an agreement with Apple to continue providing these satellite connectivity services. Globalstar has agreements to acquire more than 50 new satellites and has a launch agreement with SpaceX for replacement satellites.

Amazon Leo is also planning to deploy its own direct-to-device satellite system starting in 2028, which will integrate with its existing broadband and satellite systems. The company aims to develop a global network of thousands of advanced satellites in low-Earth orbit to support hundreds of millions of customer endpoints.

BNN's Perspective:

This acquisition signals a significant shift in the satellite internet landscape. While Starlink currently holds a substantial lead, Amazon's entry, bolstered by Globalstar's existing infrastructure and partnerships, could inject much-needed competition into the market. This could ultimately benefit consumers through increased innovation and potentially lower prices. However, the success of Amazon's venture will depend on its ability to overcome the challenges of satellite deployment and compete effectively with established players.

Keywords: Amazon, Globalstar, satellite, acquisition, Leo, Starlink, internet, connectivity, Apple, SpaceX, low-Earth orbit, direct-to-device, Andy Jassy, Delta Airlines, AT&T, Vodafone, NASA

Full Story