Amazon (AMZN) Stock Eyes $9 Billion Globalstar (GSAT) Deal to Rival Starlink

TLDR

• Amazon is in talks to acquire Globalstar in a deal valued at around $9 billion, per the Financial Times
• Globalstar (GSAT) surged 12.3% premarket; Amazon (AMZN) fell nearly 2%
• Apple owns a 20% stake in Globalstar, complicating the deal negotiations
• Amazon’s satellite project Leo currently has 180 satellites in orbit, targeting 3,200 total
• SpaceX confidentially filed for an IPO, with Starlink seen as the key driver of its $1.75 trillion valuation

Amazon is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire satellite communications company Globalstar in a deal worth roughly $9 billion, according to a Financial Times report published Wednesday.

The news sent Globalstar stock jumping 12.3% before the bell on Thursday. Amazon slipped nearly 2% in the same session.

Globalstar had a market cap of $8.81 billion at Wednesday’s close. The stock has more than doubled in value over the past year.

Amazon.com, Inc., AMZN

Amazon and Globalstar have been in talks for some time but are still working through the complexities of a potential deal, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Neither company rushed to the mic. Globalstar did not respond to a request for comment, and Amazon declined to comment.

Apple’s Stake Adds a Wrinkle

One of the sticking points in the talks is Apple’s 20% ownership stake in Globalstar. That means any deal would require Amazon and Apple to negotiate as well, adding another layer to an already complicated transaction.

Apple integrated Globalstar’s satellite network into its Emergency SOS feature on iPhones, making the relationship between the two companies more than just a financial one.

Amazon’s Push to Challenge Starlink

The acquisition, if completed, would be a direct move to accelerate Amazon’s satellite ambitions. Its network, now called Leo and formerly known as Project Kuiper, currently has 180 satellites in orbit with plans for a 3,200-satellite constellation.

That still leaves Amazon well behind SpaceX’s Starlink, which operates more than 9,500 satellites and serves over nine million users globally.

Starlink generates between 50% and 80% of SpaceX’s total revenue. Its customers range from individual consumers to businesses and U.S. national security agencies, through a version called Starshield.

Adding Globalstar’s existing infrastructure could give Amazon’s Leo network a meaningful boost in both reach and capability.

The timing of the report is worth noting. SpaceX separately confirmed Wednesday that it has confidentially filed for a U.S. IPO. Analysts have estimated that Starlink alone could account for much of SpaceX’s projected $1.75 trillion valuation, which would make it the largest stock market listing on record if it proceeds.

Amazon’s Leo is widely seen as the most credible rival to Starlink, though the gap in satellite count remains large.

Globalstar is headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, and provides low-earth-orbit communication services including voice, data, and asset tracking across enterprise, government, and consumer markets.

Talks between the two companies are ongoing, and no deal has been confirmed.

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