Amazon is in talks to acquire Globalstar, the satellite company that powers Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature, and the discussions now hinge on Apple’s existing 20% stake, which adds a layer of negotiation complexity while both companies assess long-term control over satellite connectivity.
The Financial Times reports that Amazon has held lengthy discussions with Globalstar, but Apple’s involvement has slowed progress since any deal requires alignment between Amazon and Apple before moving forward.
“Amazon is in talks to acquire the satellite telecommunications group Globalstar… One complicating factor has been Apple’s ownership of a 20 per cent stake in Globalstar, necessitating negotiations between Amazon and Apple,” people familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
Apple’s position carries weight because it invested heavily in Globalstar in 2024, taking a 20% stake worth about $400 million and committing $1.1 billion in infrastructure payments, which helped expand the satellite network used for iPhone and Apple Watch connectivity in areas without cellular coverage.
At the same time, Amazon sees Globalstar as a strategic asset that can strengthen its own satellite ambitions under Project Kuiper, now referred to as Amazon Leo, as the company pushes to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink service in low Earth orbit internet.
Globalstar’s value has surged alongside takeover interest, with its market capitalization reaching around $9 billion and shares climbing sharply over the past year as investors expect consolidation in the satellite sector.
Amazon continues to build its satellite network but still lags behind SpaceX in scale, and acquiring Globalstar would accelerate deployment while giving it direct access to an established infrastructure that already supports Apple’s satellite-based emergency services.
