The space race just got more intense—and this time, it’s not about rockets, it’s about business strategy. Reports suggest Amazon is in talks to acquire satellite firm Globalstar, and the market reacted instantly.
Globalstar’s stock jumped over 12% in premarket trading, signaling how serious investors are taking this potential move.
Amazon’s Bigger Play: Taking On Starlink
This isn’t just another acquisition story. If the deal goes through, it would directly strengthen Amazon’s satellite ambitions under its low-earth orbit (LEO) project, often referred to as Kuiper.
The goal is clear—compete with SpaceX and its dominant Starlink network.
Right now, Starlink is far ahead, operating thousands of satellites and serving millions of users globally. Amazon, in comparison, is still building its infrastructure, with only a fraction of satellites currently in orbit.
This deal could help close that gap faster.
Why Globalstar Matters Here
Globalstar isn’t a small player. The company specializes in satellite-based voice and data services, catering to governments, enterprises, and consumers.
It also comes with an interesting complication—Apple holds a 20% stake in Globalstar. That means any potential acquisition isn’t just a two-party negotiation. Apple’s involvement adds another layer of complexity to the talks.
And that’s likely why discussions are still ongoing.
Starlink Still Leads—By a Huge Margin
To understand the scale of competition:
- Starlink already operates 9,500+ satellites
- It serves millions of global users
- It contributes a major share of SpaceX’s revenue
Amazon’s network, on the other hand, is still in early stages, aiming for around 3,200 satellites once fully deployed.
So while Amazon is entering aggressively, it’s still playing catch-up—for now.
SpaceX IPO Buzz Adds More Pressure
Adding another twist, SpaceX has reportedly filed confidentially for a U.S. IPO. And if that happens, analysts believe its valuation could touch $1.75 trillion, largely driven by Starlink’s business.
That changes the stakes completely.
Because now, this isn’t just a tech rivalry—it’s a financial one too.
What This Means Going Forward
If Amazon successfully acquires Globalstar, it could instantly strengthen its satellite capabilities, speed up deployment, and expand its reach in global connectivity.
But even then, catching Starlink won’t be easy.
This is shaping up to be a long-term battle—one where infrastructure, scale, and timing will decide the winner.
For now, though, one thing is clear:
the satellite internet war is no longer coming—it’s already here.
