US regulators have approved Amazon’s proposed $11.5 billion acquisition of satellite operator Globalstar, clearing a major hurdle in its efforts to expand satellite communications and compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its decision on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. Its Space Bureau approved the transfer of approximately 25 megahertz of Globalstar’s mobile-satellite spectrum to Amazon Leo, bringing the FCC’s review of the transaction to an end.
The approval does not mean the acquisition has been completed. The companies announced the agreement in April and said at the time that they expected it to close in 2027, subject to remaining conditions.
Why Amazon wants Globalstar
Globalstar operates satellite infrastructure and holds radio spectrum used for services including emergency communications and connectivity beyond conventional mobile networks. Amazon plans to combine those capabilities with its growing Amazon Leo satellite network.
The acquisition would give Amazon established satellite operations and spectrum for direct-to-device services, which can connect compatible phones or other equipment to satellites when ground-based mobile coverage is unavailable.
That is distinct from Amazon Leo’s separate satellite broadband service, which is designed to provide internet connections through customer terminals. Amazon is developing both types of service as competition increases with SpaceX’s Starlink and other satellite operators.
Amazon says it has launched nearly 400 Leo broadband satellites since April 2025, while Globalstar operates roughly two dozen satellites. Amazon’s original broadband constellation is intended to grow to more than 3,200 satellites by July 2029. Globalstar’s value to the deal therefore includes its spectrum licences and established satellite services, not simply its spacecraft.
The FCC said the combination was likely to improve coverage in underserved areas, strengthen emergency communications and increase competition. Those are the regulator’s assessments of potential benefits, rather than improvements already delivered.
What happens to Apple’s satellite features?
Globalstar currently provides satellite capacity behind Apple’s emergency and messaging features on supported iPhones and Apple Watches. Amazon and Apple announced a separate agreement in April under which Amazon Leo would continue supporting existing satellite services and work with Apple on future capabilities.
Those services include Emergency SOS via satellite and other supported messaging and location-sharing functions. The announcement does not mean that people using those features must make an immediate change.
Apple’s role is also significant commercially. Globalstar’s 2025 annual report attributes 63% of its revenue to its wholesale-capacity arrangement with Apple. Apple also holds a 20% interest in Globalstar Licensee LLC, a subsidiary rather than the publicly listed parent company. Under the proposed merger structure, Amazon would acquire that subsidiary interest after the takeover closes.
Could the deal help mobile coverage in the UK?
In principle, more direct-to-device satellite capacity could help people who travel, live or work beyond the reach of terrestrial mobile networks. Rural areas, remote routes and emergency situations are among the use cases that make the technology relevant to the UK.
However, no UK-wide launch date, participating British mobile network or new coverage guarantee has been confirmed as a result of this regulatory decision. Any future service will depend on network agreements, compatible devices and applicable approvals.
What happens next?
There are two distinct timelines. Amazon is targeting an initial commercial launch of its Leo satellite broadband service before the end of 2026, although no firm date has been confirmed. Deployment of its new direct-to-device satellite system is planned to begin in 2028. Neither target establishes when a new mobile-to-satellite service will become available in the UK.
The immediate development is regulatory: the FCC has finished its review of the proposed takeover. The acquisition still needs to close before Globalstar becomes part of Amazon. Its previously stated expected completion year is 2027.
Sources
- US Federal Communications Commission: approval of Amazon Leo and Globalstar transaction, 27 October 2026
- Amazon and Globalstar: acquisition terms and Apple satellite agreement, 14 April 2026
- Reuters: US approves Amazon Leo acquisition, 27 October 2026
- Globalstar: 2025 annual report, Apple revenue and subsidiary ownership
- Amazon: satellite deployment progress and direct-to-device plans, September 2026
