Amazon Inc., an American multinational technology company, plans to expand its satellite communications business by acquiring the US-based satellite telecommunications company Globalstar, the BBC reported.
The $11.5 billion deal aims to strengthen the tech giant’s position in the growing market for space-based internet and mobile services. Amazon’s low-Earth-orbit satellite initiative, known as Project Leo, intends to deploy a next-generation network by 2028, and the acquisition supports its long-term growth strategy.
The move brings Amazon into closer competition with Starlink, launched by Elon Musk in 2019. Starlink currently has a significant lead, with more than 10,000 satellites in orbit and over 10 million subscribers, while Amazon’s network has around 200 satellites.
Globalstar itself operates a smaller constellation of satellites but provides infrastructure and services across multiple international locations. It has also supported emergency «SOS» features on Apple devices since 2022, and Amazon said it will continue that partnership.
According to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, the company has already secured agreements with airlines, telecom providers and NASA to use its satellite services once the network expands.
