Amazon Leo Acquires Globalstar: What It Means for the Starlink Rival’s Launch Timeline

Amazon has announced a bombshell acquisition that could accelerate the launch of its satellite internet services, which have faced multiple delays. It has acquired the satellite company Globalstar, which is best known for providing satellite SOS connectivity exclusively to Apple iPhones. Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, has been aggressively working to close the digital divide and become a formidable Starlink rival. 

Acquiring Globalstar’s mobile satellite services, established infrastructure, and highly coveted global spectrum licenses will supercharge Amazon's ambitions. It’s a massive step forward for Amazon Leo, so we’ll explore how this might change timelines for the budding satellite internet service.

Beginning in 2028, Amazon Leo is set to deploy its next-generation satellites to enable expanded direct-to-device connectivity, bypassing the need for cell towers in dead zones. Amazon is aiming to deliver seamless voice, text, and data to users in the most remote areas. Although there have been no official partnerships, Amazon will clearly leverage Globalstar's infrastructure to jump-start this endeavor that it is building alongside its consumer and enterprise networks.

Amazon will take over Globalstar's existing partnership with Apple, meaning Amazon Leo will now be the backbone powering the lifesaving Emergency SOS and messaging features for modern iPhones and Apple Watches. There doesn't seem to be any indication that it will make immediate changes to the feature, which has been free to customers since its launch.

While it’s not clear exactly how this acquisition will affect its plans to begin offering services in 2026, it will clearly help accelerate progress given Globalstar's constellation of more than 80 satellites. Amazon recently requested an FCC extension, seeking to push back its milestone of launching half of its 3,200-satellite constellation from 2026 to 2028 due to unforeseen rocket shortages. Despite this, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has reaffirmed that they will begin operations in 2026.

While the core home satellite internet service for residential terminals like the Leo Pro and Leo Nano still requires Amazon's primary broadband constellation to be fully deployed, leveraging Globalstar's established satellite fleet will help Amazon fast-track its initial connectivity rollouts. So while high-speed home broadband might still need more time to reach consumers, the firm's 2028 launch window for cellular connections gives Amazon a concrete target to start bridging the connectivity gap.

Starlink currently holds the crown for home satellite internet service, delivering continually improving speeds, immediate availability in rural areas, and 10 million customers worldwide. It’s also committed to expanding its services to the direct-to-device market with Starlink Mobile. Another opponent to Amazon’s D2D plans is AST SpaceMobile, which is also building out its satellite fleet and is already partnered with AT&T and Verizon to provide satellite connectivity to their mobile customers.

Amazon is clearly playing the long game by embedding its service directly into iPhones and phones from other carriers. If you need rural connectivity now, Starlink is readily available, but this latest move shows that Amazon is aggressively putting the pedal to the metal to get ready for the race to the D2D marketplace.

Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is Amazon's low Earth orbit satellite network designed to deliver fast, reliable internet to unserved and underserved communities worldwide. Powered by an initially planned constellation of over 3,000 satellites, the service connects to a global network of ground-station antennas to provide high-speed broadband. 

Customers will access the network through a lineup of compact, high-performance terminals, including the Leo Nano, Leo Pro, and Leo Ultra. The entire multibillion-dollar initiative is designed and operated in-house by Amazon, with the clear purpose of providing connectivity to remote homes and businesses and directly competing with Starlink.