Amazon is accelerating its push into space-based connectivity with plans to spend $11.57bn on the acquisition of satellite firm Globalstar, in a bold move aimed at competing directly with Elon Musk’s Starlink network.
The deal, announced on Tuesday, will give Amazon access to thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit through its Amazon Leo project, which has been under development for several years as part of the company’s long-term satellite internet strategy.
Amazon said the acquisition aligns with its broader vision for space-based communications and confirmed plans to deploy a next-generation satellite system by 2028.
The move places Amazon in direct competition with Starlink, which has rapidly expanded since its launch in 2019 and now dominates the global satellite internet market.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, currently has more than 10,000 active satellites and services over 10 million customers worldwide, giving it a significant lead in the sector.
Amazon Leo, by contrast, has only around 200 satellites currently in orbit and will require rapid scaling to meet its ambition of building a large global constellation.
Even Globalstar’s existing fleet of about 50 satellites underscores the scale of expansion needed for Amazon to close the gap with its rival.
Starlink’s parent company, SpaceX, is also preparing for a public listing this year, with expectations of a valuation exceeding $1 trillion, further intensifying competition in the commercial space industry.
Amazon chief executive Andy Jassy said the Leo project has already secured partnerships with major organisations including Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, AT&T, Vodafone, DIRECTV Latin America, Australia’s National Broadband Network, and NASA, pending full deployment.
The deal includes Globalstar’s infrastructure across multiple locations, including facilities in the United States, Ireland, Brazil, France, and California.
Globalstar, founded in 1991, currently has a market valuation of around $10bn and provides satellite communications services, including emergency connectivity features used by Apple devices.
Apple, which acquired a 20% stake in Globalstar in 2024, continues to rely on the company for its emergency SOS satellite service, which Amazon said will remain in place under the new arrangement.
Amazon confirmed it has also reached an agreement with Apple to maintain the SOS functionality on iPhones and Apple Watches.
The satellite race is becoming increasingly competitive, with other entrants also emerging. Blue Origin, the space company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is developing its own satellite internet system, TerraWave, which aims to deploy at least 5,400 satellites by 2027 to serve enterprise customers globally.
Erizia Rubyjeana
