Amazon to acquire Globalstar for $11.6 billion to expand satellite internet services
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Apr 27
Amazon to acquire Globalstar for $11.6 billion to expand satellite internet services
15 articles · Updated · CNBC · Apr 27
The deal, expected to close in 2027, will add Globalstar’s 24-satellite LEO fleet and global spectrum licenses to Amazon’s Leo project, enhancing direct-to-device connectivity and supporting commercial broadband rollout in 2026.
Globalstar’s ongoing partnership with Apple will continue, and Amazon plans to launch a next-generation D2D satellite system in 2028. The acquisition positions Amazon Leo to better compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, which leads the market.
Leo’s integration with AWS and potential bundling with Prime could drive enterprise and consumer growth, especially in rural areas. The move underscores Amazon’s commitment to satellite connectivity despite heavy capital expenditures and delayed regulatory milestones.
With SpaceX already dominant, how will Amazon's new Leo network attract its first million users?
How will the Amazon-Apple alliance for satellite services challenge SpaceX's direct-to-cell technology?
How will satellite internet give Amazon's core retail and AWS businesses an unbeatable edge?
Can Amazon's $11.6B deal help it overcome launch delays and meet its critical FCC deadline?
What are the hidden environmental costs of launching thousands more LEO satellites into orbit?