Amazon has also announced a telecoms partnership with Apple to power satellite services on its products.
Amazon is acquiring satellite telecommunications provider Globalstar, as the company eyes Starlink’s top rank in satellite services.
The $11.6bn deal buys Amazon Globalstar’s existing satellite operations, infrastructure and licences. According to data compiled by Reuters, Globalstar has 32 planned active low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Amazon plans to integrate Globalstar’s assets into its own space internet service Leo, which aims to have more than 3,200 satellites in space.
Currently, the company has more than 200 satellites in space already, and is planning several launches over the course of the year. SpaceX’s Starlink, for comparison, has around 15,000 authorised satellites with around 10,000 active in orbit.
With the Globalstar integration, Amazon will be able to add direct-to-device (D2D) services to its LEO satellite network and extend cellular coverage. The company said it plans to deploy its own D2D satellites systems by 2028.
Globalstar stockholders can choose to receive, per share, $90 in cash or around 0.3 shares of Amazon stock with a value cap.
Alongside the acquisition, Apple has agreed to use Leo to power satellite services for iPhones and Apple Watches. Apple, which bought a 20pc stake in Globalstar in 2024, had been using the company’s satellites to power its products. Apple has spent years building its satellite features, but struggled to catch up with competitors.
Currently, Amazon said it will continue to support Apple using Globalstar’s existing and planned LEO constellations. The company plans to collaborate with Apple on future projects using Leo.
“By combining Globalstar’s proven expertise and strong foundation with Amazon’s customer obsession and innovation, customers can expect faster, more reliable service in more places – keeping them connected to the people and things that matter most,” said Panos Panay, the senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon.
Earlier this year, Jeff Bezos’s other venture Blue Origin announced TeraWave, a satellite internet service with a planned constellation of around 5,400 satellites. Blue Origin claims that TeraWave will deliver connection speeds of up to 6Tbps anywhere on Earth.
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