According to industry reports, Amazon is in talks to acquire Globalstar, the company behind Apple's satellite-based emergency SOS service. SpaceX is also said to be interested. A lot is at stake for Apple.
What is known
Satellite network operator Globalstar is reportedly up for sale. According to multiple reports from industry analysts and media outlets, Amazon is negotiating a takeover of the company, whose satellite network has formed the basis for Apple's iPhone satellite features since 2022. At the same time, SpaceX is also said to have expressed interest in Globalstar – possibly to further expand Starlink's dominance in the satellite market.
Sales talks reportedly began as early as October 2025, when Globalstar Chairman Jay Monroe spoke to those close to him about a potential sale for more than $10 billion. Since then, interest has apparently intensified. Industry analyst Tim Farrar of TMF Associates reported from SatShow 2026 in Washington that most attendees were convinced a sale was imminent.
What this means for Apple
Apple is not only a customer of Globalstar, but also a shareholder. The company holds a stake of approximately 20 percent and has invested a total of over $1.5 billion in expanding the Globalstar network – including $450 million from the Advanced Manufacturing Fund and an additional $1.1 billion in infrastructure upfront payments. The value of Apple's stake has increased significantly since then.
Globalstar provides the 24 satellites in low Earth orbit that enable the SOS via Satellite emergency call service on the iPhone. The service has been available since the iPhone 14 and has since been expanded to include features such as Find My via Satellite, Messages via Satellite, and roadside assistance. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 also uses the network. With a change of ownership at Globalstar, the key question is whether the existing partnership with Apple will continue in its current form.
Amazon vs. SpaceX
Amazon's interest in Globalstar is related to its own satellite project, Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), which is positioned as a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink. An acquisition of Globalstar would give Amazon access to established frequency rights and an operational satellite network – a significant advantage in the race for satellite internet services.
SpaceX, in turn, could further solidify its already dominant market position with an acquisition of Globalstar and block a competitor like Amazon. Analysts suspect that SpaceX might outbid Amazon to secure precisely this strategic advantage. A SpaceX acquisition wouldn't necessarily be detrimental to Apple: Apple has been testing satellite emergency calls via Starlink in the US since early 2025 – so an alternative infrastructure would already be under development.
A market in transition
The potential sale of Globalstar underscores the strategic importance of satellite communications. What began in 2022 as an emergency feature for the iPhone has evolved into a key differentiator. Apple currently offers satellite capabilities free of charge and has repeatedly extended the free period for older iPhones. A change in ownership of Globalstar could alter this calculation – depending on the terms a new owner demands for network access.
Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, Apple is likely to be well-positioned: Its parallel collaboration with Starlink and its existing investments in its own satellite infrastructure give the company options, even if Globalstar changes ownership. (Image: Shutterstock / Artsiom P)
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