Amazon.com Inc. announced on April 20, 2026, that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Globalstar Inc., a leading provider of satellite-based IoT and mobile services, in a transaction valued at approximately $4.2 billion. The acquisition is designed to accelerate the deployment of Amazon Leo, the company’s rebranded low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Alongside the acquisition, Amazon confirmed a long-term strategic partnership with Apple Inc. to provide enhanced emergency and messaging connectivity for Apple’s global device ecosystem.
Under the terms of the acquisition, Amazon will pay $11.50 per share in cash for Globalstar, representing a significant premium over the company’s recent valuation. The deal includes Globalstar’s entire fleet of satellites, its extensive ground station infrastructure, and, most critically, its globally licensed L-band spectrum. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that the integration of Globalstar’s assets will provide the foundational spectrum necessary to deliver direct-to-device services, complementing the high-speed broadband capabilities of the existing Amazon Leo fleet. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and international telecommunications authorities.
The partnership with Apple marks a transition in how satellite services are delivered to consumer electronics. Apple, which previously utilized Globalstar’s network for its Emergency SOS feature, will now leverage Amazon’s expanded satellite infrastructure. Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams noted that the collaboration will allow Apple to expand its satellite features beyond emergency services to include routine text messaging and low-bandwidth data offloading in remote areas. Under the agreement, Amazon will prioritize Apple’s traffic on the Globalstar spectrum while utilizing its own Ka-band backbone to ensure low-latency communication.
Technically, the acquisition allows Amazon to bridge the gap between high-capacity broadband and mobile-direct connectivity. Amazon Leo, which began its primary deployment phase in 2024, will now incorporate Globalstar’s 2.4 GHz S-band and 1.6 GHz L-band frequencies. This hybrid network architecture is intended to support a wide range of applications, from industrial IoT sensors to consumer smartphones. Globalstar CEO Paul Jacobs is expected to join Amazon’s Project Kuiper and Leo division as a senior advisor to facilitate the technical integration of the two constellations.
Amazon also detailed plans to launch 120 additional specialized satellites over the next 24 months to bolster the Globalstar segment of the network. These satellites will be equipped with advanced phased-array antennas capable of connecting directly to unmodified smartphones. The company confirmed that existing Globalstar commercial contracts, including those with government and maritime agencies, will be honored and integrated into Amazon’s enterprise cloud and connectivity suite.