Amazon agrees to acquire satellite operator Globalstar, set to close in 2027, to expand Leo; Amazon and Apple say Leo will power some iPhone and Watch services

Today Amazon.com, Inc. and Globalstar, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon …

About Amazon 2026-04-14

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@panos_panay Panos Panay on x
And we're going to work with mobile network operators and other partners to deliver on our vision. Pumped doesn't begin to cut it. Huge day for @Amazonleo. So much opportunity to make a difference. Details here: https://www.aboutamazon.com/ ...
@panos_panay Panos Panay on x
We've also signed an agreement with @Apple to become their primary satellite service provider for iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple customers are already connected out of cell range, and they'll do that with @Amazonleo satellites in the future. [image]
@panos_panay Panos Panay on x
@amazon is acquiring @Globalstar to integrate their low Earth orbit satellites into our constellation. This combination will rapidly accelerate our plans to add direct-to-device capabilities into our satellite network to support calling, texting, data, and more. [image]
@defiantclient2 Kevin Chen on x
$ASTS: Who will @Amazonleo's D2D customers be in 2030+ when service actually starts? MNOs are open to multiple satellite partners but by then they'll already have @AST_SpaceMobile and @Starlink. Does @Amazon really think MNOs want ANOTHER option? Or should they just partner
@peter_adderton Peter Adderton on x
2 horse race.
@amazonleo @amazonleo on x
@Globalstar Amazon Leo + @Apple In parallel, we have also signed a long-term agreement with Apple for Amazon Leo to power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models, allowing users to text emergency services, message friends and family, request roadside assist…
@amazonleo @amazonleo on x
Amazon is acquiring @Globalstar to support our long-term vision for Amazon Leo. The agreement will allow us to build a next-generation direct-to-device constellation that connects to Leo first- and second-generation systems, forming a unified network to connect hundreds of [video…
@mgsiegler.com M.G. Siegler on bluesky
As noted a couple weeks ago, stood to reason that Apple, despite their large ownership stake and satellite deal, would actually *like* Amazon taking over Globalstar... thoughts.spyglass.org/i/192991624/ ... [embedded post]
@marypcbuk Mary Branscombe on bluesky
A lot of people want to put a LOT of internet satellites in LEO (only Amazon is trying to take the term as a service name) [embedded post]
r/wallstreetbets r on reddit
Amazon signs $11.57 billion deal for satellite firm Globalstar to challenge Musk's Starlink
@matthewstoller Matt Stoller on x
Amazon is buying satellite operator Globalstar, which is a problem. Amazon is seeking to lock in corporate clients into its ecosystem. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@kingtutcap @kingtutcap on x
$ASTS: We are so early it's not even funny...
@jackkuhr Jack Kuhr on x
Amazon is buying Globalstar for its D2D network + access to spectrum + built-in Apple customer base. - $90/share ($11B+) - Expected to close in 2027 - Gives Amazon access to important spectrum. - Amazon signs a long-term agreement with Apple (iPhone, Apple Watch D2D). Apple is a
@tmfassociates Tim Farrar on x
@CCapLP Apple is part of this agreement and gets what they need in terms of support for existing devices. But Amazon might be refunding Apple's C-3 spend, as Amazon intends to build their own system instead. Apple might work with Starlink for advanced capabilities
@tmfassociates Tim Farrar on x
This doesn't specifically say what's happening to the C-3 constellation, but Apple is not getting the more advanced services intended as part of that constellation and Amazon is building its own constellation in 2028. Looks to me like C-3 may be cancelled
@edludlow Ed Ludlow on x
The Why: Valuable spectrum that's hard to replicate and speeds up Amazon's buildout Existing network + infrastructure to accelerate deployment (ex-US focus) Direct-to-phone capability (Note; Apple) for a new growth area
@rihardjarc Rihard Jarc on x
$AMZN buying Globalstar and merging it with its satellite business called Leo is a strategic AI robotics play IMO. When we have AI humanoid robots, a key problem will be connectivity, as these humanoids will be doing different tasks all over the world, where connectivity might
r/MDASpaceInvestors r on reddit
Amazon to acquire Globalstar and expand Amazon Leo satellite network
r/news r on reddit
Amazon signs $11.57 billion deal for satellite firm Globalstar to challenge Musk's Starlink
r/BlueOrigin r on reddit
Amazon Leo to acquire Globalstar + Partner with Apple for Direct to iPhone satellite Services
@retornam @retornam on bluesky
I'm happy to see Amazon investing in Leo (Project Kuiper) to compete with SpaceX's Starlink right before SpaceX's IPO. — bsky.app/profile/tech... [embedded post]
r/technology r on reddit
Amazon signs $11.57 billion deal for satellite firm Globalstar to challenge Starlink
r/Economics r on reddit
Amazon signs $11.57 billion deal for satellite firm Globalstar to challenge Musk's Starlink
@mweinbach Max Weinbach on x
iMessage is great for agents because you get connectivity literally anywhere with satellites Imagine texting your agent in the middle of the ocean via satellites. Offline access is starting to matter way less...
@spacekoala @spacekoala on x
We're moving into a funny world where the your cell phone might have a variety of satellite roaming options. Good luck to ASTS trying to knife fight SpaceX and Amazon for a chunk of the market, they're gonna need it. [image]
@edludlow Ed Ludlow on x
Amazon's M&A history— Globalstar would be its second-biggest deal ever I think: Whole Foods — $13.7B Globalstar — ~$11.6B announced / pending MGM — $8.45B One Medical — ~$3.9B Zoox — ~$1.3B Zappos — ~$1.2B Ring — ~$1.0-1.2B Twitch — ~$970M Kiva Systems — $775M PillPack — ~$753M
@aaronburnett Aaron Burnett on x
The global telco era has begun. Ubiquitous baseline coverage will be the default through terminals or direct to device. Also, in the 2030s I expect to see some pretty epic bundling options between SpaceX and Amazon complete connectivity (phone,home,mobile) bundled in with your
@dpoddolphinpro Ryan Caton on x
Amazon is launching a rival to Starlink Direct-To-Cell, and is getting a kickstart by acquiring Globalstar, who already provide services to Apple for iPhone & Watch SOS features.
@apostructura @apostructura on x
Looks like Amazon leo is consolidating into a solid number 2 to rival Starlink. They won't be able to launch enough to rival Starlink on scale, but they might be big enough to pressure SpaceX on price.
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
Huge Amazon acquisition. Let the Leo vs. Starlink race begin!
@trengriffin Tren Griffin on x
To understand the Amazon acquisition of Globalstar start with physics. The wavelength becomes shorter as you move from L-band up to Ka-band spectrum which provides more hertz for moving bits and enables smaller antennas, but higher frequency means worse propagation. [image]
r/Starlink r on reddit
Amazon Leo to acquire Globalstar & Partners with Apple for Direct to iPhone satellite Internet Services
@caro_milanesi Carolina Milanesi on x
Amazon buying @Globalstar is the big deal here, @Apple just comes with it cause it owned 20% of Globalstar so it secures continuity. The prize is spectrum and global D2D authorizations. Leo now has the one layer of the connectivity stack Amazon couldn't build fast enough

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Amazon agrees to acquire satellite operator Globalstar, set to close in 2027, to expand Leo; Amazon and Apple say Leo will power some iPhone and Watch services

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