Amazon Buys Globalstar and Does Satellite Deal with Apple

Why It Matters

The transaction gives Amazon a ready‑made low‑Earth‑orbit platform and a guaranteed Apple customer base, accelerating its race to become a dominant satellite connectivity provider. It also solidifies Apple’s satellite services, reducing reliance on third‑party operators and enhancing user safety features.

Key Takeaways

• Amazon gains Globalstar’s spectrum and 85% Apple capacity
• Amazon Leo D2D network targets 2028 launch, hundreds of millions of devices
• Apple secures continued satellite SOS, Messages, Find My on iPhone
• Globalstar’s fleet will operate alongside Amazon Leo broadband
• Delta to roll out Amazon Leo Wi‑Fi on 500 aircraft by 2028

Pulse Analysis

Amazon’s purchase of Globalstar marks a decisive step toward vertical integration in the low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite arena. By inheriting Globalstar’s 25‑satellite fleet, MSS spectrum licenses and a long‑standing capacity contract with Apple, Amazon instantly expands its footprint beyond the modest Leo‑1 and Leo‑2 constellations. The combined assets give Amazon a diversified spectrum portfolio and the regulatory approvals needed to scale a direct‑to‑device (D2D) service that can reach remote consumers, enterprises, and government users without relying on terrestrial carriers. This move also positions Amazon as a serious competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink and OneWeb, which have focused primarily on broadband rather than device‑centric connectivity.

The new partnership agreement with Apple removes a potential roadblock that could have stalled the deal. Apple’s $1.5 billion investment in Globalstar secured a 20 percent stake and guaranteed satellite capacity for iPhone and Apple Watch emergency services. By confirming that Amazon will continue to support existing Apple devices and co‑develop future satellite features, both companies protect a lucrative revenue stream and reinforce brand loyalty among users who value safety‑critical services such as Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My. The collaboration also signals that Apple prefers to work with a cloud and logistics giant that can provide end‑to‑end infrastructure, rather than a pure‑play satellite operator.

Beyond consumer devices, the acquisition dovetails with Amazon’s broader aviation ambitions. The company recently unveiled a rugged Leo aviation antenna capable of 1 Gbps downlink speeds and secured a contract to outfit 500 Delta aircraft with in‑flight Wi‑Fi beginning in 2028. Integrating Globalstar’s satellites into this ecosystem could improve coverage over oceanic routes and remote airspaces, offering airlines a differentiated connectivity solution. As more verticals—logistics, maritime, and IoT—seek reliable, low‑latency links, Amazon’s expanded satellite constellation may become a foundational layer for the next generation of global digital services.