April 14, 2026 — Amazon is acquiring Louisiana satellite communications company Globalstar in a nearly $12 billion deal that will allow the e-commerce giant to expand its space-based mobile phone services.
In a news release Tuesday, Amazon said it planned to use Globalstar’s satellite network and technology as part of Amazon Leo, a project that will enable smartphone users to connect directly to a network of thousands of satellites for voice and data service. Amazon also announced a deal with Apple to bring the service to iPhones starting in 2028. Globalstar currently powers the emergency SOS feature on Apple’s iPhones.