Technology
FCC approves Amazon's $11.5 billion Globalstar deal
The Hindu BusinessLine·
The US FCC approved Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion Globalstar acquisition as Amazon builds a satellite network against SpaceX's Starlink. Amazon launched more than 300 satellites since April 2025 and targets about 3,200 in low Earth orbit by 2029. The deal adds two dozen Globalstar satellites and mobile spectrum. Apple invested about $1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024 for Emergency SOS.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Amazon said it signed an agreement with Apple to continue Globalstar-powered Emergency SOS and Find My features.
- Direct-to-device technology lets smartphones connect to satellites without separate ground networks.
- Amazon plans commercial Leo satellite services by the end of 2026, the FCC said.
What's Happening
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the approval boosts competition in next-generation satellite broadband.
- Apple accounted for about 63 percent of Globalstar revenue last year, the FCC filing noted.
- The FCC will vote Thursday on advancing a new wireless spectrum auction for direct-to-device services.
Starlink Scale Comparison
- Starlink operates more than 11,000 satellites as tech firms invest billions in space connectivity.
- Amazon has committed more than $10 billion to its Leo satellite unit.
- Globalstar plans an Apple-backed expansion toward 54 satellites including backups, from about two dozen now.
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