Amazon's $11.6 billion purchase of Globalstar is scheduled to close in 2027.
Globalstar has an Apple relationship.
Globalstar’s spectrum includes 8.725 MHz of L-band, a 0.95 MHz sliver shared with Iridium, and 16.5 MHz of S-band.
Globalstar’s spectrum is roughly 8 MHz of uplink paired against 16 MHz of downlink, which limits two-way direct-to-device throughput.
Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar was intended to secure S-band spectrum and low-Earth-orbit infrastructure for the Amazon Leo initiative.
Amazon acquired Globalstar for $11.6 billion on April 14, 2026.
Globalstar has about 25 MHz of spectrum that can be applied to direct-to-device services.
BNP Paribas views Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar as a strategic positive for Amazon Leo’s commercialization path.
Globalstar currently partners with Apple to power satellite service on iPhone 14 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Amazon will use Globalstar’s existing mobile satellite services licenses and ground infrastructure in its satellite operations.
The Amazon-Globalstar merger agreement caps consideration at $90 worth of Amazon stock per Globalstar share.
Amazon offered Globalstar shareholders $90 per share in a combination of cash and Amazon common stock.
Globalstar’s existing satellite fleet and new satellites with expanded capabilities will operate alongside the Amazon Leo broadband system and Amazon’s planned direct-to-device satellite system.
Apple has enabled its satellite messaging service through Globalstar since 2022.
Globalstar stockholders will receive either $90 per share or the same value in Amazon common stock under the merger agreement.
Amazon will continue to support iPhone and Apple Watch models currently using Globalstar’s existing and planned low Earth orbit satellite constellations.
The first batch of Globalstar’s HIBLEO-4 replacement satellites is expected to launch in the first half of this year.
MDA Space is building a next-generation Globalstar constellation called C-3.
Amazon Inc. is purchasing mobile satellite service provider Globalstar Inc.
MDA Space is building 17 satellites for Globalstar’s HIBLEO-4 replacement satellite constellation.