Amazon's $11.6 bn Globalstar Acquisition Fuels Aggressive Push Against Starlink

Amazon disclosed on Tuesday that it will acquire satellite operator Globalstar for $11.57 billion, a strategic step to expand its fledgling Kuiper broadband system and directly confront Elon Musk’s Starlink network.

The transaction grants Amazon immediate control of Globalstar’s low‑Earth‑orbit constellation of roughly two dozen satellites, bolstering a platform that currently competes with Starlink’s fleet of about 10,000 satellites in orbit.

Under the agreement, Globalstar shareholders may elect to receive either $90 in cash per share or 0.3210 shares of Amazon common stock for each share they own.

Amazon aims to launch about 3,200 Kuiper satellites by 2029, with roughly half required to be operational by the July 2026 regulatory deadline. The company already manages a network of more than 200 satellites and plans to roll out its satellite‑internet service later this year. In contrast, Starlink presently serves over 9 million customers worldwide.

Louisiana‑based Globalstar, known for powering Apple’s “Emergency SOS” feature, operates the current constellation and expects to expand to 54 satellites under an Apple‑backed development program that includes a few backup units.

Beyond voice and data, Globalstar provides asset‑tracking solutions to enterprise, government and consumer markets. Simultaneously, Apple—having invested roughly $1.5 billion in Globalstar—has signed an agreement with Amazon to continue supporting satellite‑based safety functions such as Emergency SOS and Find My for iPhone and Apple Watch users.

The acquisition is slated to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approval and the achievement of specific satellite‑deployment milestones by Globalstar.