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| Apple iPhone satellite services. |
In a move that redefines the race for space-based connectivity, Amazon has officially agreed to acquire satellite service provider Globalstar—the same company that powers Apple’s Emergency SOS via iPhone. The deal gives Amazon a massive shortcut to global spectrum licenses, a built‑in partnership with Apple, and a direct shot at SpaceX’s Starlink.
When the iPhone 14 launched with Emergency SOS via satellite, few people realized that the quiet, reliable network behind that life‑saving feature belonged to Globalstar. Apple had invested $1.5 billion into the company, locking in capacity for its devices. Now, Amazon is taking over the whole operation.
This week, Amazon announced a full acquisition of Globalstar for $11.57 billion. The deal folds Globalstar’s existing low‑Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation into Amazon’s own Project Kuiper network—which the company is now rebranding as Amazon Leo. More importantly, the Apple partnership will carry over intact. That means Amazon Leo will continue to power satellite features on supported iPhones, Apple Watches, and other devices, including emergency texting, Find My, roadside assistance, and even standard Messages.
For a deep dive into the official announcement, read Amazon’s full press release here.
What Amazon Really Bought: Spectrum That Takes Years to Build
While $11.57 billion sounds like a massive sum, it’s actually a bargain for what Amazon gets: Globalstar’s MSS (Mobile Satellite Service) spectrum licenses with global authorizations. This is the kind of regulatory work that normally takes a decade or more to accumulate—dozens of countries, hundreds of frequency approvals, and countless negotiations. Amazon simply wrote a check and jumped to the front of the line.
Compare that to SpaceX. Elon Musk’s company paid $16 billion for Dish Network’s spectrum to launch its Starlink Mobile 5G service directly to unmodified cell phones. Amazon paid $4.5 billion less and also inherits an existing, operational constellation plus Apple’s user base.
Apple’s Partnership Continues – And Now Amazon Gets a Cut
That’s the real sleeper in this deal. Starting with the iPhone 14, Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite has been credited with saving dozens of lives—hikers lost off‑grid, drivers stranded in blizzards, boaters with dead engines. All of that traffic runs over Globalstar’s satellites. Under Amazon ownership, those services continue without interruption.
Better yet for Amazon: it now has a direct pipeline to hundreds of millions of potential customers who already carry Apple devices. When those users trigger satellite messaging, they’ll be using Amazon Leo infrastructure. That’s a ready‑made market that Starlink can only dream of.
And if you want to see the future of satellite‑connected wearables, look no further than the Apple Watch Ultra 3. It’s the first smartwatch designed from the ground up for off‑grid communication, with built‑in satellite SOS and messaging. Right now, you can grab it at a rare discount: Apple Watch Ultra 3 is available for $100 off on Amazon.
Starting in 2028: Direct‑to‑Device Voice and Data – No Special Hardware
The current Globalstar system works well for emergency texts, but it’s limited. Amazon has much bigger plans. Starting in 2028, Amazon Leo will deploy its own next‑generation direct‑to‑device (D2D) satellite system. Unlike today’s service, this new architecture will support:
- Full voice calls – talk anywhere on Earth, no cell tower required
- High‑speed data – browse, stream, and send photos from remote areas
- Universal messaging – iMessage, WhatsApp, SMS – all routed through satellites
And here’s the killer feature: no special hardware required. Ordinary 4G/5G smartphones—iPhones, Pixels, Samsungs—will connect automatically, just like Starlink’s promised Direct‑to‑Cell service. Amazon claims its new D2D architecture delivers “substantially higher spectrum efficiency” than legacy direct‑to‑cell systems. That’s a direct jab at T‑Mobile’s Starlink‑powered service, which has faced criticism for bandwidth limitations.
The Bigger Picture: Amazon Leo vs. Starlink
SpaceX’s Starlink currently dominates both satellite broadband (for homes and RVs) and the emerging direct‑to‑cell market. But Amazon Leo, armed with Globalstar’s spectrum and Apple’s ecosystem, is no longer a distant second.
- Scale: The complete Amazon Leo network is slated to include thousands of satellites and support hundreds of millions of customer endpoints globally.
- Timeline: The transaction is expected to close in 2027, pending regulatory approval. Globalstar’s shareholders have already given the green light.
- Competitive pressure: This comes just as SpaceX is gearing up for a record‑breaking Starlink IPO—potentially the largest in tech history. Amazon’s move forces investors to ask: is Starlink’s spectrum advantage as big as it seemed?
What This Means for You
If you own an iPhone 14 or newer, or an Apple Watch Ultra, nothing changes immediately. Your emergency satellite features will still work. But by 2028, your ordinary phone will likely connect to Amazon Leo satellites for voice and data, whether you’re hiking in the Grand Canyon or sailing across the Atlantic.
And if you’re already shopping for the best satellite‑ready wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is $100 off on Amazon—a solid deal before the holiday rush.
One thing is certain: the space‑based connectivity race just got a whole lot more interesting. With Amazon now owning Globalstar’s licenses, Apple’s partnership, and a clear path to 2028 D2D service, Elon Musk’s Starlink has a real challenger. And for consumers, that means faster innovation, lower prices, and eventually, a world where you’re never truly out of signal range.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through the Apple Watch Ultra 3 link.