Amazon Buys The Satellite Internet Company Behind Apple’s Sos System

Amazon has coming announced it is merging pinch outer net supplier Globalstar Inc. to bolster Leo, its Starlink rival. Globalstar isn’t a family sanction but you do cognize its work, arsenic it provides Apple’s emergency outer connectivity for compatible iPhones and Watches. In a statement, Amazon says nan woody will turn Leo’s space-based footprint and alteration direct-to-device work for its burgeoning outer network.

An absorbing wrinkle is Apple owns 20 percent of Globalstar, which it bought for $1.5 cardinal successful 2024, but that didn’t get a mention. Instead, nan merchandise says Amazon and Apple person agreed Leo will “power outer services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models.” And that this support will proceed arsenic Leo’s web evolves, arsenic good arsenic collaborating “with Apple connected early outer services utilizing Amazon Leo’s expanded outer network.”

The merchandise adds Leo’s direct-to-device work won’t commencement until 2028, and nan woody itself isn’t expected to adjacent until 2027. That is, of course, unless Amazon doesn’t placate nan FCC into extending its deadline to get much satellites into orbit earlier July 2026. At present, nan institution needs to person 1,600 satellites successful orbit by that deadline, but only expects to person astir 700 really up successful nan heavens and moving by then.