FCC approves Globalstar licence transfer to Amazon Leo

The FCC's Space Bureau approved Amazon Leo's application to acquire about 25 MHz of Globalstar's mobile-satellite service spectrum on 27 October 2026, concluding its review of the purchase. The approval authorises the transfer of control of Globalstar's US licences to Amazon, a transfer that takes effect at closing; it does not close the deal or launch any service.

What the FCC approved

The FCC approved the transfer of Globalstar's US licences and related authorisations to Amazon. It found the deal unlikely to cause material harm to the public interest and likely to improve coverage in underserved areas, emergency communications and enterprise data services. Amazon Leo may use Globalstar's C-3 system authorisation to build and launch that system only after the transaction closes.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr framed the decision as a competition matter. "By approving this deal, the FCC has empowered Amazon Leo to deliver fast, next-gen satellite broadband services, increase competition, and help communities stay connected all across the country," he said.

Yippy, a tech company focused on enterprise search and data normalization that is in a contractual dispute with Globalstar, was the only entity to file against the acquisition. The FCC dismissed its concerns because the dispute is in arbitration.

Spectrum, satellites and the C-3 grant

Globalstar operates around two dozen low Earth orbit satellites and holds the spectrum Amazon is buying. Amazon says it has launched nearly 400 Leo satellites since April 2025; Reuters reported more than 300 and said the acquisition would add Globalstar's roughly two dozen satellites to an existing Amazon network of more than 200. Amazon says it has committed more than $10 billion to the Leo programme, separate from the Globalstar purchase price, and aims to introduce commercial satellite services by the end of 2026. Reuters reported a target of around 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit by 2029.

Amazon has filed to build a direct-to-device constellation of up to 5,105 satellites using L-band and S-band spectrum it will acquire from Globalstar. The FCC authorised Globalstar's C-3 system as 48 satellites in 12 orbital planes at an altitude of 1,414 kilometres, plus six on-orbit spares. The 5,105-satellite filing and the C-3 authorisation are separate regulatory matters.

Apple's satellite services sit inside the deal

Globalstar provides the satellite connections behind Apple's Emergency SOS, messaging, location-sharing and roadside-assistance features on supported devices. Apple invested about $1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024 for a 20% stake and accounted for around 63% of Globalstar's revenue in 2025. SatellitePro ME reported that Amazon plans to acquire Apple's stake as part of the transaction.

Amazon and Apple have agreed to keep supporting satellite features on compatible iPhones and Apple Watches, with Apple managing the user experience and Amazon supplying the satellite capacity. Amazon said Globalstar already supports iPhone 14 or later and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Amazon plans to deploy its own direct-to-device system from 2028, carrying voice, data and messaging for mobile phones and other cellular devices.

Price, terms and the competition

The FCC described the purchase as $11.5 billion, while Globalstar's April 2026 investor presentation put implied equity value at roughly $11 billion. Reuters reported the deal at $11.57 billion, and Satellite Today reported the April announcement valued it at $10.8 billion. The figures differ in scope and rounding, and the FCC release does not reconcile them.

Under the announced terms, Globalstar stockholders can elect $90 in cash or 0.3210 Amazon shares per share, with cash elections limited to 40% of total shares. The stock option carries a $90 per Globalstar share cap. Total consideration can fall by up to $110 million if Globalstar misses specified operational milestones.

The FCC noted earlier authorisations for a 15,000-satellite SpaceX direct-to-device constellation and a 248-satellite AST SpaceMobile system. Its competitive analysis found little head-to-head overlap: Globalstar sells wholesale mobile-satellite capacity for IoT, messaging and tracking, while Amazon Leo sells fixed satellite broadband. Starlink has more than 10,000 active satellites in orbit, according to satellite tracking reports cited by Silicon Republic.

What happens next

Amazon and Globalstar expected the deal to close in 2027, subject to remaining regulatory approvals and conditions, including replacement-satellite milestones. Amazon did not share an update on closing timing when the FCC ruled. Amazon has not announced consumer pricing or how carriers might package future satellite services, and its proposed direct-to-device constellation remains under regulatory review.