Amazon Eyes $9 billion Globalstar Deal as Apple Ties Complicate Satellite Race

- Amazon negotiates $9 billion Globalstar buy to boost satellites. - Apple’s 85% network control adds high-stakes tension. On April 2, 2026, the Financial Times reported that Amazon made a $9 billion bid to acquire Globalstar. The satellite firm is critical to Apple's Emergency SOS functionality, and this deal could reshape the satellite internet industry. Consequently, the acquisition represents a strategic push by Amazon to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink dominance as competition in the sector intensifies. Apple purchased a 20% stake in Globalstar in 2024 and also reserves 85% of the company’s network capacity for the Emergency SOS feature that serves iPhone and Apple Watch users. This reliance adds complexity, forcing Amazon to negotiate a parallel agreement with Apple to ensure uninterrupted service while advancing its acquisition plans. The deal aligns with Amazon’s ambition to accelerate the growth of its satellite initiative, Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, especially as the company currently lags behind Starlink’s deployment of thousands of satellites. Acquiring Globalstar would fast-track this progress by providing access to its constellation of 24 satellites, ground infrastructure, and valuable spectrum licenses, dramatically reducing Amazon's timeline for expanding Leo’s capabilities. Beyond this deal, the satellite sector has become a critical battleground for tech firms vying to control global connectivity infrastructure. For instance, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has unveiled larger ambitions in space through his company, Blue Origin, which recently submitted an FCC proposal to deploy 51,600 data-hosting satellites under Project Sunrise. The ongoing negotiations reflect broader shifts within the satellite industry, where rivalries, partnerships, and strategic acquisitions are reshaping technological dominance. Amazon’s pursuit of Globalstar, therefore, marks a pivotal development in its competitive race with SpaceX and reinforces the growing stakes in the push for global satellite connectivity.