Amazon.com is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire satellite communications company Globalstar Inc. in a move that would strengthen its ambitions to build its own satellite internet network. According to sources familiar with the matter, a deal could be announced as early as Tuesday, although talks are still ongoing and may not result in a final agreement.
Both companies have not officially commented on the development. Globalstar also declined to respond to queries.
Globalstar’s market value has surged in recent months, with its shares nearly quadrupling over the past year, taking its valuation to around $9.4 billion.
The potential acquisition signals growing competition in the satellite internet space, particularly between Amazon and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which operates Starlink. Starlink already serves millions of users worldwide with a large satellite constellation and generates significant revenue, highlighting the expanding demand for space-based internet services.
Amazon is simultaneously developing its own low-Earth-orbit satellite system, known as Amazon Leo, aimed at providing high-speed internet access in remote and rural regions. The company plans to deploy thousands of satellites but has requested regulatory flexibility regarding early deployment deadlines as it works to scale the project.
Industry analysts suggest Globalstar could help accelerate Amazon’s satellite ambitions since it already operates an active network, though smaller in scale compared to Starlink. The company also holds valuable spectrum rights and currently supports services such as Apple’s emergency communication features on iPhones.
Apple has invested heavily in Globalstar, including a multibillion-dollar funding arrangement and a significant ownership stake, which may influence any future changes in the company’s direction.
Globalstar, originally formed as a joint venture between Qualcomm and Loral Corp., launched its first satellites in the late 1990s and currently serves hundreds of thousands of subscribers through its mobile satellite services.
