Amazon is negotiating to acquire Globalstar for $9 billion.

      A potential agreement would provide Amazon’s Leo satellite program with access to Globalstar’s L-band spectrum and operational infrastructure, streamlining its efforts to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. Apple’s investment, which enables Emergency SOS on iPhones, has complicated the negotiations significantly.

      Amazon is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire satellite telecommunications firm Globalstar, with the deal estimated to value the company at around $9 billion, according to a Wednesday report by the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the situation. Reuters has corroborated the information.

      Both Amazon and Globalstar have declined to provide comments, and the parties are still working through the intricacies of a potential agreement after what the FT describes as protracted discussions. No contracts have been finalized.

      The strategic justification for the acquisition is clear. Amazon is developing Amazon Leo, previously known as Project Kuiper, aimed at creating a constellation of over 3,200 low-earth-orbit satellites to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink, the leading entity in satellite internet.

      As of the report, Amazon has already launched more than 180 Leo satellites. Acquiring Globalstar would significantly expedite this goal, providing access to L-band and S-band spectrum licenses—limited and strategically important radio frequencies that cannot be easily reproduced by launching additional satellites—along with decades of operational experience and established ground infrastructure serving enterprise, government, and consumer markets worldwide.

      Globalstar achieved profitability in 2025, with reported revenues of $273 million.

      The main complication arises from Apple. In 2024, Apple invested $1.5 billion in Globalstar, securing a 20% stake in the company. This deal allowed Globalstar to order more satellites and support Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature for iPhone 14 and subsequent models, as well as for Apple Watch Ultra.

      This stake has added layers of complexity to Amazon’s negotiations, necessitating direct engagement with Apple regarding the terms of any acquisition. Apple’s dependence on Globalstar’s network for a vital iPhone safety feature creates a substantial operational reliance that any potential buyer must address.

      Following the FT’s report, Globalstar’s shares surged to an 18-year high in after-hours trading, largely due to investors recognizing the value of its spectrum assets.

      For Amazon, successfully acquiring Globalstar could condense years of infrastructure development into one deal, offering a more immediate platform to challenge Starlink in serving individual consumers, businesses, and government clients, including U.S. national security agencies through its Starshield variant.

      The key question remains whether a deal can be structured that meets Apple’s operational needs while also advancing Amazon’s competitive objectives.