Amazon has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Globalstar in a move that signals a dramatic escalation in the global race to dominate space-based communications. The deal will allow Amazon to integrate Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure, radio spectrum, and operational expertise into its expanding low Earth orbit (LEO) network, known as Amazon Leo, unlocking direct-to-device (D2D) capabilities for future generations of its satellite system.
The acquisition is designed to address one of the most persistent gaps in global connectivity: regions beyond the reach of terrestrial cellular networks. By combining Globalstar’s established mobile satellite services with Amazon’s scale and technological innovation, the company aims to deliver seamless voice, text, and data services directly to standard mobile devices, even in the most remote parts of the world. The integration will support consumer, enterprise, and government use cases, ranging from rural connectivity to disaster response and mission-critical communications.
Central to the announcement is a strategic agreement between Amazon and Apple, under which Amazon Leo will power satellite connectivity features for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models. These services include emergency messaging, roadside assistance requests, and location sharing, building on capabilities already credited with saving lives in remote and high-risk scenarios. The partnership ensures continuity for existing users while paving the way for more advanced satellite-enabled features in future devices.
Amazon plans to roll out its next-generation D2D satellite system beginning in 2028, promising significantly improved performance compared to legacy systems. The network will feature higher spectrum efficiency, faster speeds, and tighter integration with Amazon’s broader satellite constellation, which is expected to include thousands of satellites and support hundreds of millions of connected devices globally.
Globalstar’s role in the deal is pivotal. As a long-standing leader in non-geostationary orbit satellite technology, the company brings decades of experience, a globally licensed spectrum portfolio, and a track record of delivering critical communications services. Its existing satellite fleet, along with new-generation spacecraft under development, will operate alongside Amazon’s infrastructure to form a unified, high-capacity network.
The implications of the deal extend far beyond technology. Amazon’s investment is expected to accelerate innovation in the satellite communications sector, intensify competition, and expand connectivity options for underserved regions. The combined network will also enhance resilience during natural disasters and network outages, offering a reliable fallback when traditional infrastructure fails.
Economically, the initiative is poised to generate significant growth, supporting jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and operations while enabling new business models across industries such as logistics, IoT, and remote workforce management. By extending connectivity to previously unreachable areas, the project aims to narrow the digital divide and bring more people into the global digital economy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Globalstar shareholders will receive either cash or Amazon stock for each share, with the total valuation capped at $90 per share. The transaction, already approved by a majority of Globalstar’s voting power, is expected to close in 2027, pending regulatory approvals and operational milestones.
With this acquisition, Amazon is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era in telecommunications—one where connectivity is no longer limited by geography, and where satellites play a central role in linking people, devices, and systems across the planet.
