Amazon Leo has won approval from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its $11.5 billion acquisition of mobile-satellite operator Globalstar, the regulator announced. The deal, first reported by Reuters and confirmed by Engadget, gives Amazon's satellite constellation a direct route into the direct-to-device market, where phones connect straight to satellites without extra hardware.
The FCC said the two companies' complementary assets should help Amazon Leo enter the direct-to-device segment and create a stronger satellite operator able to serve residential, business and government customers. The regulator added that the deal is likely to benefit the public by improving data coverage in underserved areas, echoing Amazon's own framing of the transaction.
What Amazon Leo gains from Globalstar
Globalstar might be unfamiliar to many users, but its technology already sits in millions of pockets. The company provides Apple's emergency satellite connectivity for compatible iPhones and Apple Watches. Apple previously held a 20 percent stake in Globalstar before the takeover.
Under the deal, Amazon Leo will power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models, extending the reach of its network beyond its own hardware ambitions. That positions Leo as a direct competitor to SpaceX's Starlink in the race to connect devices from orbit.
- Amazon Leo acquires Globalstar for $11.5 billion
- FCC approval clears the way for direct-to-device service
- Globalstar currently powers Apple's emergency satellite features on iPhone and Apple Watch
