In a strategic move to reshape global connectivity, Amazon has reached an $11.57 billion agreement to acquire Globalstar’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. This acquisition includes Globalstar’s spectrum licenses, operations, and assets, which Amazon intends to integrate with its own burgeoning LEO internet satellite constellation.
Crucially, the deal ensures that Apple remains a key player in the ecosystem. While Apple previously held a 20% stake in Globalstar, the new arrangement establishes a partnership between Amazon and Apple to maintain and evolve satellite services for iPhones and Apple Watches.
A New Rivalry in the Sky
The acquisition is a direct challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink, which has been aggressively pursuing the “direct-to-cell” market. To understand the stakes, it is important to distinguish between the two primary technological approaches currently competing for dominance:
- Starlink’s Model (Direct-to-Cell): SpaceX utilizes a partnership model, working with mobile carriers like T-Mobile in the US to provide messaging services directly to existing smartphones.
- The Amazon-Globalstar Model: This approach leverages a dedicated satellite network to provide high-speed, reliable connectivity. Amazon aims to combine Globalstar’s established infrastructure with its own upcoming LEO constellation to offer a seamless global service.
This competition represents a shift in how we view mobile coverage. We are moving from a world where “dead zones” are a permanent reality to one where satellite constellations can fill the gaps left by traditional terrestrial towers.
Scaling Up: The Numbers Behind the Race
The scale of the infrastructure required for these services is massive. The current state of the competition is as follows:
SpaceX/Starlink
- Satellite Count: As of late 2025, SpaceX had approximately 650 cellular-equipped satellites in orbit out of a total Starlink fleet of roughly 10,000.
- Strategy: Rapid deployment and high-volume satellite counts to ensure near-constant coverage.
Amazon/Globalstar
- Current Infrastructure: Globalstar operates a network of about 25 satellites.
- Growth Plans: Amazon is currently building its own LEO network, which already has over 200 satellites in orbit. The company aims to reach a total of 3,200 satellites and has announced plans to double its annual launch rate to accelerate this deployment.
Maintaining Essential Safety Services
For Apple users, the most immediate impact of this deal is the continuity of safety features. Globalstar currently powers the Emergency SOS capabilities for iPhone 14 and newer models, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 3. These services allow users to:
– Text emergency services in remote areas.
– Message friends and family when cellular service is unavailable.
– Request roadside assistance and share real-time locations.
Under the new agreement, Amazon will support these existing features while collaborating with Apple to develop next-generation satellite services powered by Amazon’s expanded LEO network, which will be manufactured by MDA Space.
The deal represents a massive consolidation of space-based telecommunications, positioning Amazon and Apple as a formidable duo capable of challenging SpaceX’s lead in satellite-to-smartphone connectivity.
Conclusion
By acquiring Globalstar, Amazon is not just buying hardware; it is securing the spectrum and infrastructure necessary to compete with Starlink. This merger creates a powerful alliance between Amazon’s logistics and space capabilities and Apple’s massive consumer device ecosystem, aiming to provide ubiquitous global connectivity.
