Amazon Buys Globalstar for $11.6B to Take On Starlink

Amazon announced the $11.57 billion Globalstar acquisition on April 14, 2026. The deal will add Globalstar's satellite fleet, licensed spectrum, and direct-to-device infrastructure to Amazon's existing Project Kuiper constellation, which the company has rebranded Amazon Leo. The transaction is expected to close in 2027, pending regulatory approvals. Amazon also announced a separate partnership with Apple to use Globalstar's network to power satellite connectivity features on future iPhone and Apple Watch models, including Emergency SOS functionality. Globalstar's value to Amazon is not just orbital assets. It is the direct-to-device experience that Globalstar has already built for mobile phones, which goes beyond the satellite broadband play that Kuiper was pursuing. Combining LEO broadband capacity with direct mobile connectivity gives Amazon a more complete satellite offering that competes with Starlink across consumer, enterprise, and government segments. The competitive target is clear. SpaceX's Starlink has built a strong first-mover position with over 6,000 satellites in orbit, millions of subscribers across more than 100 countries, and growing government and military contracts. Amazon's acquisition gives it a faster path to scale than organic Kuiper deployment alone would allow. For Nigerian users and businesses, more satellite competition matters directly. Starlink's expansion across Nigeria has changed connectivity options in underserved areas. More serious competition from Amazon Leo could drive pricing down and push faster coverage expansion across underserved African markets over the next two to three years. The satellite internet market is no longer a niche. It is becoming a core layer of global connectivity infrastructure.