Amazon to Buy Globalstar for $11.6B, Boost LEO Network
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- Amazon announced a deal to acquire Globalstar for roughly $11.6 billion.
- Globalstar’s acquisition is expected to close in 2027, expanding Amazon’s low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite network.
- Apple will use Amazon’s LEO network, called Leo, to provide satellite connectivity for certain iPhone and Watch services.
- Amazon frames the purchase as a strategic move to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service.
- Amazon plans to leverage the new satellite capacity for direct‑to‑device connectivity, broadening its consumer and cloud offerings.
Why it matters: Amazon gains a satellite platform that can deliver direct‑to‑device connectivity for Apple’s iPhone and Watch, strengthening its cloud and consumer services while challenging SpaceX’s Starlink market share; Apple secures a dedicated network for its devices, and consumers may see broader satellite coverage for mobile services.
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