Amazon (AMZN) in Advanced Talks to Buy Satellite Operator Globalstar (GSAT)

TLDR

• Amazon is in advanced talks to acquire satellite operator Globalstar (GSAT), with a deal potentially announced as soon as Tuesday.
• The deal would boost Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite effort, which currently has only around 180 satellites compared to SpaceX’s 10,000+.
• Apple holds a 20% stake in Globalstar after investing $1.5 billion in 2024, making it a key player in any deal negotiations.
• Globalstar stock has surged 273% over the past 12 months on growing takeover interest.
• Amazon has been building its own low Earth orbit satellite network to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink service.

Amazon is close to buying satellite operator Globalstar, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. A deal could be announced as early as Tuesday.

The move is part of Amazon’s effort to build out its own low Earth orbit satellite business, known as Project Kuiper. The company has been competing with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has a major head start in the space.

Amazon currently has about 180 satellites in orbit. SpaceX operates more than 10,000. That gap makes Globalstar an attractive target for Amazon as it tries to close the distance.

This is not the first time the deal has surfaced. The Financial Times reported earlier this month that Amazon was nearing an agreement for Globalstar. Bloomberg’s report now puts it much closer to the finish line.

Globalstar, Inc., GSAT

Globalstar stock has climbed 273% over the past 12 months. Much of that gain has been driven by takeover speculation and the company’s potential to compete in the fast-growing satellite internet market.

Apple’s Stake Complicates Talks

One major hurdle in the deal is Apple. The iPhone maker holds a 20% stake in Globalstar after investing $1.5 billion in 2024. That means Amazon will need to negotiate directly with Apple to get a deal done.

Apple uses Globalstar’s network to power its Emergency SOS via satellite feature on iPhones. How a potential acquisition would affect that relationship remains unclear.

Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the Bloomberg report.

What Globalstar Brings to the Table

Globalstar operates a network of low Earth orbit satellites. If acquired, it would give Amazon an immediate boost in satellite infrastructure rather than building from scratch.

The deal would also give Amazon licensed spectrum, which is a valuable and limited resource for satellite communications.

Amazon has been investing heavily in Project Kuiper. The company has launched satellites and struck deals with launch providers, but it still lags far behind Starlink in operational capacity.

SpaceX has spent years building its Starlink network into a global broadband service. Amazon wants a piece of that market, and Globalstar could help it get there faster.

Globalstar shares were down 0.37% on Monday, even as the deal chatter intensified. The stock’s massive 12-month run means most of the takeover premium may already be baked into the price.

Amazon stock was up 0.63% on Monday. The broader market has been watching the deal closely given the size and strategic importance of both companies involved.

Reuters could not confirm the deal details, and neither Amazon nor Globalstar has made an official public statement as of Monday.

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