Amazon has announced plans to acquire satellite‑communications company Globalstar for about USD 90 per share in what is described in open‑market disclosures as an approximately USD 11.57 billion deal, aimed at accelerating its low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite‑internet business, Amazon Leo. The agreement, disclosed on 14 April 2026, gives Globalstar shareholders the option to receive either USD 90 in cash or 0.3210 shares of Amazon common stock for each Globalstar share they hold, valuing the transaction at roughly USD 11.57 billion. The deal is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Globalstar shares rose more than 9% in premarket trading following the announcement, building on a roughly 6% gain over the preceding two weeks as reports of advanced talks between the companies circulated. The stock has nearly doubled in value over the past 12 months and was up about 12% year‑to‑date before the acquisition news emerged, reflecting investor optimism about the company’s satellite‑based connectivity profile. Covington, Louisiana–based Globalstar currently operates about two dozen satellites in low‑Earth orbit and provides voice, data and asset‑tracking services to enterprise, government and consumer clients.
The acquisition is designed to help Amazon Leo, the company’s satellite‑internet initiative, scale its network more quickly as it seeks to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, the market‑leading LEO‑internet provider. Amazon intends to deploy roughly 3,200 satellites into low‑Earth orbit by 2029, with about half of that constellation required to be in orbit by a July 2026 regulatory deadline. The company already operates a network of more than 200 satellites and is gearing up to launch commercial satellite‑internet services later this year. Globalstar’s spectrum assets and existing infrastructure are expected to bolster Amazon’s capacity to offer broader coverage and additional services, including support for mobile and IoT‑linked connectivity.
Globalstar is best known to many consumers as the service behind Apple’s satellite‑powered “Emergency SOS” messaging feature on iPhones, with Apple holding a significant minority stake in the company. Open‑source regulatory filings show that, a new, Apple‑backed network under development is expected to increase Globalstar’s orbital footprint to 54 satellites, including a small number of spares, underscoring the company’s role in critical‑connectivity applications. The deal positions Amazon to deepen its presence in the LEO‑services ecosystem, while also raising questions about how Apple’s stake and prior commercial‑relationship‑stacks will evolve in the new ownership structure.
Key highlights
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Amazon to buy Globalstar for about USD 90 per share in a USD 11.57 billion deal.
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Globalstar shareholders can choose cash or Amazon stock in the acquisition.
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The deal aims to accelerate Amazon’s Leo satellite‑internet network versus Starlink.
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Globalstar operates two dozen LEO satellites and supports Apple’s Emergency SOS.
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Transaction expected to close in 2027, pending approvals.