Amazon's acquisition of Globalstar represents a key shift in the race for satellite connectivity And it has direct implications for iPhone and Apple Watch users worldwide, including in Spain and the rest of Europe. What until recently was a very niche service, like satellite emergency SOS, is now poised to become a central part of both companies' strategies.
With this move, Amazon integrates Globalstar's technology and spectrum into its Amazon Leo project, while Apple ensures the continuity and evolution of its satellite functions in the coming years. Beyond the multimillion-dollar figures, the agreement aims at a very specific objective: to ensure that the mobile phone or watch remains connected even when the mobile network disappears.
A multi-million dollar deal to strengthen Amazon Leo
Amazon and Globalstar have signed a merger agreement under which the former will acquire the satellite operator for approximately $11.570 billionThe transaction is structured with a combination of cash and Amazon shares, offering Globalstar shareholders the option of choosing between $90 per share or an equivalent package of shares in Jeff Bezos' company, with a limit of 40% of the total payment in cash.
This acquisition will not happen overnight. According to statements from both companies, the transaction is expected to close on 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and certain technical milestonesThese include the deployment and proper functioning of replacement satellites from the HIBLEO-4 series. Until then, Globalstar will continue to operate with relative normality under its current structure.
The final value of the transaction could be adjusted slightly downwards, to around 110 million dollars lessIf Globalstar fails to meet certain agreed-upon operational targets, the agreement could be terminated. However, the agreement already has the backing of shareholders representing approximately 58% of the company's voting power, indicating clear support for the strategic shift.
From a financial and market perspective, the move reinforces Amazon's commitment to low-Earth orbit satellite internet and positions it fully engaged in the fight against Starlink, SpaceX's service. Instead of building its ecosystem from scratch, Amazon is accelerating by taking shortcuts with an already deployed network, licensed spectrum, and decades of operational experience.
What Amazon gains from Globalstar: satellites, spectrum, and D2D experience
Globalstar is a veteran in the satellite industry: operates mobile satellite services (MSS)Amazon has been a pioneer in low Earth orbit (NGSO) constellations and has a long track record in critical and emergency communications. For Amazon, this isn't just about acquiring a company, but about adding a comprehensive package of strategic assets.
As part of the agreement, Amazon will retain the Globalstar's current satellite operations, its ground infrastructure, and its MSS spectrum licenses with authorizations at a global level. In the world of space telecommunications, spectrum is pure gold: it determines which frequency bands can be used, with what limitations and in which countries, something fundamental to providing services in Europe without clashing with the regulations of each market.
Globalstar's existing fleet of satellites, along with new satellites being built with expanded capabilities, It will work in conjunction with the Amazon Leo broadband system. And with the future direct-to-device (D2D) system that Amazon plans to deploy. The idea is not to dismantle what exists, but to integrate it into a more ambitious architecture.
Panos Panay, Amazon's senior vice president of Devices and Services, has emphasized that there are “Billions of customers who live, travel, and work outside the reach of current networksAnd Amazon Leo was created precisely to close that gap. The combination of Globalstar's technological foundation with Amazon's investment and deployment capabilities aims to offer faster and more reliable services in more places.
Paul Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar, insists along the same lines and argues that low Earth orbit constellations are the most effective way to Connect users and devices anytime, anywhereAccording to the executive, Globalstar's more than 30 years of investment in technological innovation and harmonized spectrum development align with Amazon's intention to build a seamless global network.
Amazon Leo: a direct satellite-to-mobile network starting in 2028
Amazon's main objective with this purchase is to deploy, starting in 2028, a new generation D2D (direct-to-device) satellite system Based on Amazon Leo. In simpler terms, this means that mobile phones, watches, tablets, and other compatible devices will be able to connect directly to satellites, without relying so heavily on terrestrial antennas.
The company plans to have a initial constellation of more than 3.000 satellites in low Earth orbitsupported by a global network of gateway antennas and dedicated fiber optic links, this infrastructure aims to provide voice, messaging, and data services in areas where mobile coverage is currently poor or nonexistent, from rural areas of Spain to remote regions of Eastern Europe and mountainous areas.
One of the points that Amazon emphasizes most is the spectrum usage efficiencyIts D2D system is designed to make better use of available frequencies than legacy solutions, which, in theory, translates into more capacity, better speeds, and less congestion when millions of devices are connected at the same time.
Furthermore, the D2D network will be seamlessly integrated with the first and second generations of Leo satellites which Amazon already has planned. The ultimate goal is to have a single infrastructure capable of covering both fixed connections (for example, homes or businesses using dedicated antennas) and direct mobile connections to the device, with applications ranging from residential connectivity to government and mission-critical uses.
This technological leap puts Amazon Leo in a stronger position against Starlink, which already operates with thousands of satellites and millions of users. Although Amazon lags behind in deployment, the acquisition of Globalstar allows it to close the gap and fully enter the direct-to-device segment, considered one of the key battlegrounds in the coming years.
Apple, a key player: Emergency SOS and more satellite features
The other major aspect of the announcement is Apple's role. Until now, the Cupertino company relied on Globalstar to offer Emergency SOS via satellite and other means satellite functions on iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple once owned around 20% of Globalstar, suggesting that a third-party acquisition might be complicated.
However, the three parties have reached an agreement that, once the acquisition is finalized, Amazon Leo becomes the network that supports Apple's satellite servicesIn other words, existing functions will continue to operate, and new capabilities will be built on that same foundation in the coming years.
Currently, the iPhone 14 and later, as well as certain Apple Watch models like the Apple Watch Ultra 3, can send messages to emergency services, request roadside assistance, share location, and contact family members via satellite when there is no mobile coverage. In Spain and other European countries, these features have been rolled out gradually, and the new agreement is expected to facilitate their geographical expansion and technical improvement.
Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, has reminded everyone that the Emergency SOS satellite service has helped save numerous lives in recent yearswith rescue operations in regions like British Columbia and Colorado. According to the executive, the expanded collaboration with Amazon Leo ensures that users can continue to rely on crucial features such as Emergency SOS, Messaging, Search and Find, and satellite roadside assistance.
For Apple, this agreement reduces uncertainty about a capability that has already become a fundamental part of its personal security proposition. For Amazon, on the other hand, it means acquiring a top-tier client who will use their network for critical and high-profile services, which reinforces the commercial viability of Amazon Leo from day one.
Impact on users, operators and the European market
Beyond press releases and large figures, the effect of this agreement will be felt, if all goes according to plan, in the everyday use of technology. The combination of Amazon's Leo network, Globalstar's spectrum and infrastructure, and Apple devices points to more robust connectivity in situations where mobile signal fails today, from mountain routes to road trips in areas with poor coverage.
Amazon has made it clear that it doesn't want to go it alone: ​​it plans to collaborate with mobile network operators and other telecommunications partners to offer combined terrestrial-space services. In Europe, this could translate into agreements with large groups such as Telefónica, Vodafone, Orange, or Deutsche Telekom to integrate satellite connectivity as a backup for terrestrial networks and as a way to extend coverage in rural areas.
The company also emphasizes the role of D2D connectivity as safety net when traditional infrastructures fail due to fires, floods, storms, or energy crises. For European public administrations and emergency services, having an additional satellite layer integrated with mobile networks opens the door to more resilient communication systems.
In the competitive arena, the operation consolidates the trend towards concentration of key assets in few handsAlongside Starlink and, to a lesser extent, other low-Earth orbit projects, Amazon Leo is emerging as one of the major players capable of offering global connectivity. This could lead to more options for end users, but it will also require European regulators to closely monitor issues such as effective competition, spectrum use, and data protection.
If the deadlines are met, towards the end of this decade we could see a scenario in which many mobile phones sold in Spain and the rest of Europe incorporate as standard the possibility of connecting to satellite networks without the need for additional hardware, going from being an "emergency" function to a standard feature for travelers, mountain athletes, remote professionals and, in general, anyone who frequently leaves traditional mobile coverage.
Taken together, Amazon's acquisition of Globalstar and the parallel agreement with Apple paint a picture in which direct-to-device satellite connectivity will cease to be a rarity and become a standard extension of the mobile network. If the deal closes in 2027 and the rollout of Amazon Leo D2D begins in 2028 as planned, the next generation of iPhones, Apple Watches, and other connected devices could benefit from this. wider coverage, improved emergency services, and new features designed for a world where being "out of coverage" will become increasingly rare.
