Amazon to buy Globalstar, will power iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features through Leo

Deal and timeline

Amazon has struck a definitive agreement to acquire satellite operator Globalstar, folding the company’s satellites, spectrum and operational know‑how into Amazon Leo. It has been reported that the deal is expected to close in 2027, subject to customary approvals. The move gives Amazon immediate access to mobile satellite services (MSS) licenses and an operational fleet — a shortcut to scale for its low Earth orbit ambitions.

Apple partnership and consumer impact

In a companion announcement, Amazon and Apple said Amazon Leo will power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models — things like Emergency SOS via satellite, texting emergency services, messaging friends and family, and requesting roadside assistance. These are services people care about in their bones: they turn a gadget into a literal lifeline when cell towers are nowhere to be found. Who wouldn’t want that peace of mind on a backcountry hike or a long drive through nowhere?

Technology and strategy

Amazon plans to integrate Globalstar’s MSS spectrum and satellites with its Leo broadband constellation and to roll out a next‑generation direct‑to‑device (D2D) system beginning in 2028. The D2D tech is pitched to extend basic voice, text and data services beyond the reach of terrestrial networks and to work with mobile network operators to hand off connectivity seamlessly. In short: Amazon is marrying spectrum and operations to its cloud and launch scale to build a more continuous global fabric of connectivity.

Bigger picture

This is an escalation in space‑based connectivity wars. Satellite firms have been jockeying for partnerships with handset makers and carriers — but Amazon’s combination of retail reach, cloud services and now MSS assets could reshape who controls the network when you’re off the grid. It has been reported that regulatory scrutiny and carrier negotiations remain hurdles; expect careful watching from rivals, regulators, and anyone who’s ever lost a signal at the worst possible moment.

Sources: aboutamazon.com