Amazon to Acquire Globalstar; Collaborates with Apple for Satellite Functions on iPhone and Apple Watch
Amazon’s Acquisition of Globalstar
On Tuesday, Amazon announced its plans to acquire Globalstar, a satellite communications company. This strategic decision will enable Amazon to enhance its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet constellation through its Amazon Leo initiative, allowing for the potential integration of Globalstar’s existing infrastructure with Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
The proposed acquisition will facilitate the incorporation of Globalstar’s satellite expertise, spectrum, and infrastructure into Amazon’s network. According to Amazon, this acquisition is expected to significantly contribute to the development of Direct-to-Device (D2D) services, which will enable smartphones and various devices to connect directly to satellites without the need for terrestrial networks.
Amazon indicated that this capability would extend essential voice, text, and data services to remote regions that lack traditional cellular coverage. Additionally, the initiative aims to improve network reliability during emergencies, such as natural disasters, when terrestrial networks are typically compromised.
Panos Panay, the Senior Vice President of Devices & Services at Amazon, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “There are billions of customers out there living, traveling, and operating in places beyond the reach of existing networks, and we started Amazon Leo to help bridge that divide.” He further emphasized the expected improvements in service reliability and speed due to the combination of Globalstar’s expertise and Amazon’s focus on customer satisfaction.
The acquisition is projected to finalize in 2027, pending regulatory approvals. Amazon plans to initiate the launch of its next-generation D2D satellite system in 2028, which is expected to consist of thousands of satellites, capable of supporting hundreds of millions of connected devices around the world.
Collaboration with Apple for Satellite Features
In conjunction with the acquisition, Amazon has forged a new agreement with Apple aimed at supporting satellite connectivity features on Apple devices. Globalstar currently provides satellite services for the iPhone 14 and later models, along with the Apple Watch Ultra 3. This partnership enables vital features such as Emergency SOS via Satellite, messaging, location sharing through the Find My app, and roadside assistance, especially in areas lacking cellular service.
Greg Joswiak, the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing at Apple, commented on the collaboration, stating, “Since launching more than three years ago, our groundbreaking safety service Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save many lives around the world.” He expressed confidence in the ongoing partnership between Apple and Amazon, reflecting a long-standing collaborative history.
Amazon’s agreement with Apple ensures the continued support of satellite functionalities for the iPhone and Apple Watch through both Globalstar’s existing satellites and the forthcoming Amazon Leo network. This partnership is anticipated to provide sustained access to critical satellite features for Apple users.
Moreover, the collaboration is set to pave the way for further advancements as Amazon continues to expand its satellite communication infrastructure in the future.
