Apple, Globalstar and Amazon Leo
How did Apple build satellite features into the iPhone, and what does Amazon's purchase of Globalstar change?
Chapter summary
Apple launched Emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone 14 in 2022 using Globalstar's constellation and spectrum, paid for most of Globalstar's network upgrade, took a 20% stake and committed up to $1.5 billion in funding and prepayments, in exchange for 85% of Globalstar's capacity.
Key takeaways
- 1
On 14 April 2026 Amazon agreed to buy Globalstar for about $11.6 billion and signed a separate agreement with Apple under which Amazon Leo will take over powering iPhone and Apple Watch satellite features, with a direct-to-device service from 2028.
- 2
The deal brings together the world's most valuable phone franchise, Amazon's broadband constellation and Globalstar's licensed satellite spectrum, and makes Amazon SpaceX's main rival in D2D as well as in broadband.
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Capital Flows into Direct-to-Device, 2022–2026
Next →The Gatekeepers: Phone Makers, Chipsets and Operating Systems
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