Amazon Acquires Globalstar in $11.57B Deal, Forging Alliance with Apple to Counter Starlink

Amazon has launched a direct assault on the satellite connectivity market, acquiring Globalstar's low-Earth orbit network for $11.57 billion. This move strategically positions Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation against SpaceX's Starlink, while locking in a critical partnership with Apple, a major Globalstar shareholder and customer. The deal transfers Globalstar's spectrum licenses, operations, and assets to Amazon, creating a formidable new player in the race to connect smartphones and devices directly from space.

The acquisition is a multi-layered power play. Apple, which owned 20% of Globalstar, is now a key beneficiary and partner. As part of the agreement, Amazon will continue to support existing Apple services like Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhones and Apple Watches. More significantly, the two tech giants will collaborate to develop future services linking Apple devices directly to Amazon's upcoming Leo satellite network. This partnership creates a closed ecosystem that could challenge Starlink's own ambitions for direct-to-cell connectivity.

The transaction, scheduled to close in 2027 pending regulatory approval, signals a major consolidation in the satellite internet sector. It places immense pressure on other operators and reshapes the competitive landscape. The alliance between Amazon's infrastructure and Apple's massive device ecosystem presents a unified front, potentially accelerating the rollout of global satellite connectivity for consumers while intensifying scrutiny from antitrust regulators over control of critical orbital and spectrum assets.