FCC Space Bureau Approves Amazon’s $11.57 Billion Globalstar Deal

The Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau approved Amazon Leo’s acquisition of approximately 25 megahertz of Globalstar’s internationally harmonized mobile-satellite service (MSS) spectrum on October 27, 2026, the FCC announced, concluding the agency’s review of Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion purchase of Globalstar. The approval was issued the same day in Order DA 26-1160 in GN Docket No. 26-134 by the chiefs of the Space Bureau, the Office of Engineering and Technology, and the Office of International Affairs, acting on delegated authority under sections 214(a) and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934. The order, which describes the transaction as an $11.57 billion deal, finds that it is likely to benefit the public by enhancing data coverage in areas unserved or underserved by telecommunications carriers, strengthening emergency communications capabilities, and fostering additional growth in industrial and enterprise data services, and that no material public-interest harms are likely to arise.

The granted applications cover the assignment and transfer of control to Amazon of Globalstar’s space station licenses, earth station licenses, domestic and international section 214 authorizations, and an experimental license. The lead application was filed May 26, 2026, and the applications were accepted for filing by public notice on June 4, 2026, according to the order and the FCC’s transaction docket. Under the approved structure, Globalstar will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amazon and operate as an affiliate of Kuiper Systems LLC, while the Globalstar U.S. subsidiaries will retain their corporate identities and Commission authorizations. The order also approves transfer of the Space Bureau’s October 8, 2026 grant of U.S. market access for Globalstar’s C-3 System, a constellation of 48 satellites licensed by France.

Competitive Findings and Applicant Metrics

The order finds that the transaction does not implicate horizontal or vertical harms because Amazon and Globalstar do not compete for each other’s customers. Globalstar principally provides MSS voice and data connectivity and wholesale satellite capacity, while Amazon Leo principally markets high-speed data connectivity based on fixed-satellite service (FSS) authorizations, and Amazon would not have access to the MSS spectrum needed to operate its planned direct-to-device (D2D) system absent the transaction. According to the order, Globalstar serves more than 780,000 end-user devices in more than 120 countries and had approximately 811,000 MSS subscribers worldwide as of June 30, 2026. Apple accounted for approximately 63% of Globalstar’s total revenue in 2025 and holds a 20% equity stake in Globalstar that Amazon states it will acquire following completion of the transaction, the order states, citing Globalstar’s annual report and the application.

The order states that Amazon has committed to invest more than $10 billion in Amazon Leo, has launched over 300 satellites since April 2025, and anticipates providing commercial service by the end of 2026. Amazon’s satellite manufacturing facility in Kirkland, Washington, can produce up to 30 satellites per week, according to the application. The Commission has approved 7,736 Amazon satellites, the order notes, compared with up to 26 satellites authorized for Globalstar, nine of them subject to submission of a debris mitigation plan. The order credits the applicants’ claims that a larger fleet of satellites connected by an inter-satellite mesh network would make more intensive use of Globalstar’s L-band spectrum than Globalstar’s existing bent-pipe network architecture.

Merger Terms and Review Record

Amazon and Globalstar announced their definitive merger agreement on April 14, 2026. Under its terms, Globalstar stockholders will elect to receive, for each share of Globalstar common stock, either $90.00 in cash or 0.3210 shares of Amazon common stock with a value capped at $90.00 per share. A proration mechanism caps aggregate cash elections at a maximum of 40% of total Globalstar shares and automatically converts excess cash consideration into stock consideration on a pro rata basis, and the total transaction consideration is subject to a downward adjustment of up to $110 million if Globalstar does not achieve certain operational milestones. Globalstar stockholders holding approximately 58% of the combined voting power of outstanding Globalstar shares approved the transaction by written consent. The companies stated the transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to closing conditions including receipt of regulatory approvals and Globalstar’s achievement of certain HIBLEO-4 replacement satellite milestones.

Alongside the merger agreement, Amazon and Apple (AAPL ) announced an agreement for Amazon Leo to power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models, including Emergency SOS via satellite. Amazon (AMZN ) said that beginning in 2028, Amazon Leo will deploy its own next-generation D2D satellite system.

Four comments, one petition to dismiss, one opposition, and one reply were filed in the transfer proceeding, the order states. Public Knowledge and the Open Technology Institute at New America, as well as the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, filed comments supporting grant of the application. The order denies a petition to dismiss filed by Yippy, Inc., a former Globalstar customer, finding that a transfer-of-control proceeding is not the proper forum for Yippy’s private contract dispute with Globalstar, which is being pursued in arbitration. The order also denies, as without merit, a filing by Dana Scioli objecting that the Commission lacks jurisdiction to act on the application.

The grant is explicitly conditioned on Amazon’s continued compliance with Letters of Agreement entered into in 1999 and 2004 between Globalstar entities and the U.S. Department of War, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The applicants stated that Amazon has no reportable foreign ownership and is 100% directly and indirectly U.S.-owned. The order is effective upon adoption, and petitions for reconsideration may be filed within 30 days.

In a statement released with the approval, FCC Chairman Carr said: “President Trump is restoring America’s technology leadership. And this FCC authorization is a significant step towards supercharging next-generation connectivity. 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.”

According to the FCC’s release, the approval follows the Space Bureau’s October 8, 2026 decision granting U.S. market access for the C-3 System, authorized to serve the U.S. market as part of a global network of 48 satellites arranged in 12 orbital planes with four satellites per plane, operating at an inclination of 52 degrees and an altitude of 1,414 kilometers. The C-3 System may use 1610–1618.725 MHz for Earth-to-space mobile-satellite links and 2483.5–2500 MHz for space-to-Earth service links, with feeder links and telemetry, tracking, and command operations in the 5091–5250 MHz and 6875–7055 MHz bands; following the close of its transaction with Globalstar, Amazon Leo may use the C-3 System grant to build and launch the newly authorized system. The release also notes that earlier in 2026 the Space Bureau granted SpaceX’s (SPCX ) authorization to build, launch, and deploy a 15,000-satellite D2D constellation and AST SpaceMobile’s (ASTS ) authorization for a 248-satellite system. At its October 29, 2026 Open Meeting, the FCC will vote on two items proposing an auction of the 1675–1695 MHz and 2020–2025 MHz bands and seeking to open approximately 500 megahertz of additional wireless spectrum that may be used for D2D services.