Apple and Amazon are teaming up to challenge Starlink’s smartphone ambitions
Amazon has made a deal to buy Globalstar's low-Earth orbit satellite network for $11.57 billion, snapping up its spectrum licenses, operations, and assets to combine with its upcoming Leo internet satellite constellation. Apple owned 20 percent of Globalstar, and as a part of the deal, Amazon will continue to support satellite services like Emergency SOS for iPhones and Apple Watches, and develop future services that connect them to its Leo satellite network. The deal is currently scheduled to close in 2027, pending approval by regulators.
Globalstar currently provides direct-to-device services to the iPhone and Apple Watch. That's differen ...