Amazon just won FCC approval for an $11.5 billion Globalstar acquisition
Amazon just bought Globalstar for $11.5 billion.
The short version
- The Federal Communications Commission approved the massive satellite deal.
- Amazon aims to rival SpaceX and Starlink.
- Globalstar powers Emergency SOS on iPhones today.
Why it matters to you. For your business, the race into space means faster internet and phone connections are coming to remote areas where standard cell towers cannot reach.
Check your satellite connection. Amazon, the giant online retailer, just got the green light from the Federal Communications Commission for an $11.5 billion deal to acquire Globalstar, the mobile-satellite service provider. The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday that the buyout gives Amazon Leo, Amazon's satellite arm, two dozen new satellites and valuable mobile-satellite spectrum.
Amazon has already launched nearly 400 satellites since April 2025 and plans to deploy thousands more in Earth's low orbit by 2029. The move puts Amazon head-to-head with SpaceX, the rocket company founded by Elon Musk, which currently operates a network of more than 11,000 Starlink satellites.
Globalstar currently powers satellite safety features like Emergency SOS and Find My for Apple, the maker of the iPhone and Mac computers. Apple, which invested about $1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024 for a 20% equity stake, accounted for about 63% of Globalstar's revenue last year, and Amazon plans to acquire Apple's stake in the company.
"The FCC has empowered Amazon Leo to deliver fast, next-gen satellite broadband services, increase competition, and help communities stay connected all across the country," FCC Chair Brendan Carr said, according to Reuters. Amazon is preparing to roll out its commercial satellite services by the end of 2026, backed by a commitment of more than $10 billion in investments.
