Amazon Eyes Globalstar: Tech Giant Aims to Challenge SpaceX in the Satellite Market

According to insiders, US technology giant Amazon is on the verge of acquiring satellite operator Globalstar. The potential transaction would significantly accelerate Amazon’s ambitions in the satellite internet space and place the company in direct competition with Elon Musk’s SpaceX service Starlink. This was reported by news agency Bloomberg on April 14, 2026, citing people familiar with the matter.

Advanced Negotiations, but No Deal in Sight Yet

According to Bloomberg, both companies are in advanced talks. An announcement could come within the next few days. However, no final agreement has been reached. The negotiations could also fall through or be delayed. Amazon declined to comment, while Globalstar did not initially respond to requests.

Globalstar is currently valued at more than nine billion US dollars on the stock market. The company, headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, operates a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and holds licensed spectrum in the Band 53/n53, which can be used for both satellite and terrestrial applications.

Amazon’s Satellite Ambition: Project “Amazon Leo”

Amazon is developing its own broadband satellite network under the name Amazon Leo, which is intended to bring fast internet to rural and remote areas with more than 7,700 satellites. The service is planned for summer 2026. According to statements by CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon has so far launched more than 200 satellites into orbit — still far short of the 1,600 satellites it has applied to deploy by July 2026.

An acquisition of Globalstar would bring Amazon not only an existing satellite constellation, but also valuable ground infrastructure, licensed spectrum, and an established customer base in the areas of IoT, enterprise communications, and consumer services.

Globalstar: Solid Growth and Strategic Realignment

Globalstar recorded record revenue of 273 million US dollars for fiscal year 2025, an increase of nine percent compared to the previous year. The adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 50 percent. The company generated an operating profit of 7.4 million US dollars, compared to a loss of 0.9 million US dollars in the prior year.

“2025 was a transformative year for Globalstar. We advanced our strategy across every dimension of the company: from global infrastructure expansion and product innovation to growing commercial adoption in government, enterprise, and industrial markets.” Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar

For 2026, Globalstar expects revenue of between 280 and 305 million US dollars with an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 50 percent. At the end of 2025, the company had liquid assets of 447.5 million US dollars.

Apple as an Existing Major Investor

An acquisition by Amazon would also affect the existing partnership with Apple. The iPhone manufacturer uses Globalstar’s satellite network for the Emergency SOS feature on its iPhones and invested 1.5 billion US dollars in the company in 2024, according to Bloomberg, in exchange for a 20 percent stake. How an Amazon acquisition would affect this partnership remains to be seen.

Competition with SpaceX Intensifies

The potential acquisition fits into an increasingly competitive market for satellite internet. SpaceX currently dominates this market with its Starlink service, which counts several million users worldwide. According to a media report, SpaceX plans to take its subsidiary public before summer 2026 in what is expected to be one of the largest IPOs of the year.

For Amazon, a successful acquisition of Globalstar would significantly accelerate the development of a competitive satellite ecosystem. In addition to existing infrastructure, Globalstar would also bring technologies for private 5G networks (XCOM RAN) as well as a growing IoT business, which recently recorded subscriber growth of six percent and an increase in hardware revenues of 50 percent.

Overview: Globalstar by the Numbers (2025)

Whether and on what terms an acquisition will materialize remains to be seen. Neither company has made any public statement so far. Observers assume that a potential deal would have far-reaching consequences for the global satellite connectivity market.