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FCC approves Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar

The Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar, granting the tech giant access to 24 satellites and mobile spectrum to compete in the direct-to-device connectivity market.

Graphic displaying the Amazon Leo logo alongside the Globalstar logo on a black background.
Image: @StockSavvyShay

The Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion acquisition of satellite operator Globalstar, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced. The regulatory clearance advances Amazon's satellite communications ambitions as the company prepares to enter the growing broadband connectivity space alongside SpaceX's Starlink.[1][4][6][3][7]

Carr stated during an interview appearance that the approval will facilitate Amazon's entry into the direct-to-device connectivity market in direct competition with SpaceX and other providers, calling it part of robust investment in emerging satellite technologies. According to Reuters, the completed transaction provides Amazon with ownership of Globalstar's 24 satellites as well as its mobile satellite spectrum.[1][4][5]

The acquisition also gives Amazon access to Globalstar's existing commercial relationship with Apple. Market commentators noted that the move unfolds amid a broader industry race to secure the wireless frequencies required to connect satellites directly to standard mobile phones, an effort reflected in SpaceX's purchase of EchoStar spectrum and AST SpaceMobile securing its own spectrum rights.[2][7]

Key facts

  • FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the FCC approved Amazon Leo's acquisition of Globalstar.
  • The acquisition of Globalstar is valued at $11.5 billion.
  • The deal gives Amazon access to Globalstar's 24 satellites and mobile satellite spectrum.
  • Carr stated the approval will help Amazon enter the direct-to-device market in competition with SpaceX and other providers.
  • The transaction provides Amazon with access to Globalstar's existing relationship with Apple.

Sources · 6 sources

  1. TE

    TechmemeArticle ·

    The US FCC approves Amazon Leo's $11.5B acquisition of Globalstar, giving Amazon access to Globalstar's 24 satellites and mobile satellite spectrum (David Shepardson/Reuters) David Shepardson / Reuters : The US FCC approves Amazon Leo's $11.5B acquisition of Globalstar, giving Amazon access to Globalstar's 24 satellites and mobile satellite spectrum — The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday it approved Amazon (AMZN.O) Leo's $11.5 billion deal to acquire Globalstar (GSAT.O) …

    Open source
  2. SB

    Shay Boloor@StockSavvyShayPost on X ·

    The FCC just approved $AMZN acquisition of Globalstar which could bring Amazon Leo into satellite-to-phone market while giving it access to Globalstar's existing relationship with $AAPL. And with $SPCX buying EchoStar spectrum and $ASTS securing its own rights the race is really about controlling the frequencies needed to connect directly to phones.

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  3. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·

    US agency approves Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar https://t.co/MrgIHymDbv

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  4. MT

    MTS@MTSlivePost on X ·

    FCC Chairman @BrendanCarrFCC announces the FCC has approved Amazon's acquisition of Globalstar, setting up a new satellite connectivity battle with SpaceX: "Just today, in fact, we’re announcing that we’re approving Amazon’s buy of Globalstar, which is gonna help them facilitate their entry into that direct-to-device market in competition with SpaceX, in competition with lots of other providers." "That’s another sort of breaking news that we’re working on here. It’s part of all this new robust investment we’re seeing in direct-to-device technologies." @FCC

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  5. TE

    Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·

    The US FCC approves Amazon Leo's $11.5B acquisition of Globalstar, giving Amazon access to Globalstar's 24 satellites and mobile satellite spectrum (@davidshepardson / Reuters) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)

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  6. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·

    US agency approves Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar https://t.co/UGZmjR0sNZ

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  7. BU

    businessline@businesslinePost on X ·

    Amazon has secured FCC approval for its $11.5 billion Globalstar acquisition, strengthening its satellite communications ambitions as it prepares to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink in the growing broadband connectivity market. https://t.co/QAYSX4cbGP

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