The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Amazon’s USD 11.5 billion acquisition of satellite operator Globalstar, clearing a major hurdle in the tech and retail giant’s efforts to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink in the satellite communications market.
The deal will give Amazon Leo access to Globalstar’s two dozen satellites and mobile-satellite spectrum, strengthening its ability to provide broadband connectivity and direct-to-device services.
Amazon Leo has launched nearly 400 satellites since April 2025 and aims to deploy thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit by 2029.
“The company has committed more than USD 10 billion to the project and plans to launch commercial satellite services by the end of 2026,” the FCC said.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the approval would help Amazon Leo expand competition and improve connectivity across the US.
The acquisition will support Amazon Leo’s entry into the direct-to-device market, allowing compatible smartphones and other devices to connect directly to satellites without relying entirely on conventional mobile networks.
Amazon welcomed the regulatory approval, saying it brought the company closer to delivering new connectivity capabilities to customers.
The company sought FCC approval in July to deploy up to 5,105 satellites, underscoring its ambitions to build a large-scale satellite network.
The investment comes as technology companies commit billions of dollars to satellite-based connectivity, seeking to capture demand for broadband services in areas where traditional networks have limited coverage.
SpaceX’s Starlink operates a network of more than 11,000 satellites, giving it a substantial lead in the market.
Globalstar also brings an established business in satellite-powered safety services. The company currently supports features such as Emergency SOS and Find My for Apple’s iPhone and Apple Watch users.
Amazon has previously signed an agreement with Apple to continue providing those services following the acquisition.
Apple invested approximately USD 1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024 to expand satellite communications for its devices, receiving a 20% equity stake in the company. Apple accounted for about 63% of Globalstar’s revenue last year.
The FCC said Amazon plans to acquire Apple’s stake as part of the transaction.
Globalstar said late 2025 that an Apple-backed network under development would expand its satellite constellation to 54 satellites, including a small number of backups.
Meanwhile, the FCC is scheduled to vote on Thursday on advancing a new wireless spectrum auction intended to support direct-to-device services.