Amazon has announced a major expansion of its satellite ambitions. The company will acquire Globalstar and partner with Apple to power satellite-based features for iPhones and Apple Watches as part of its broader Amazon Leo initiative.
Under the agreement, Amazon will take over Globalstar’s satellite operations, infrastructure, and globally licensed spectrum. Globalstar is known for its mobile satellite services (MSS) and early work in low Earth orbit (LEO) and direct-to-device (D2D) communications.
Panos Panay, Senior Vice President of Amazon Devices & Services, said the following regarding the acquisition:
“There are billions of customers out there living, traveling, and operating in places beyond the reach of existing networks, and we started Amazon Leo to help bridge that divide. By combining Globalstar’s proven expertise and strong foundation with Amazon’s customer obsession and innovation, customers can expect faster, more reliable service in more places—keeping them connected to the people and things that matter most. We’re excited to support Apple users through the Leo D2D system and look forward to working with mobile network partners to help extend coverage to every corner of the planet.”
Amazon plans to combine Globalstar’s existing capabilities with its own Leo satellite network to deliver continuous connectivity across consumer, enterprise, and government use cases. Amazon also revealed plans for a next-generation D2D satellite system, expected to roll out starting in 2028. This system will enable:
- Voice, data, and messaging services directly to mobile devices.
- Higher spectrum efficiency compared to legacy satellite systems.
- Faster speeds and improved performance.
The D2D system will integrate with Amazon’s broader Leo constellation, which will include thousands of satellites designed to support hundreds of millions of endpoints globally.
Globalstar already powers Apple’s satellite features, including Emergency SOS, Messages, Find My, and Roadside Assistance on iPhone 14 and later models. As part of the acquisition, Amazon has signed a deal with Apple to provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features. Future Apple features will leverage Amazon Leo’s expanded satellite network, and both companies will collaborate on next-gen satellite capabilities.