FCC approves Amazon Leo acquisition of Globalstar

The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday its Space Bureau has approved Amazon Leo's acquisition of Globalstar, concluding the agency's review of the $11.5 billion purchase and the transfer of about 25 megahertz of the satellite operator's mobile-satellite service spectrum.

Why it matters: The approval clears the main US regulatory hurdle for Amazon's satellite network to absorb Globalstar's direct-to-device spectrum, the asset that carries satellite messaging and emergency services to ordinary phones.

Data as of Federal Communications Commission news release of October 27, 2026, read on the commission's own site in this run, is the document of record for the approval; the release page carries the title and the commission's description of the transaction. The spectrum size (about 25 megahertz of internationally harmonised mobile-satellite service spectrum) and the $11.5 billion purchase figure are as summarised from the release by MLex and reported by Reuters via Investing.com; the full order text was not opened in this run. Developing item.

The Federal Communications Commission said on Tuesday that its Space Bureau has approved Amazon Leo’s application to acquire about 25 megahertz of Globalstar’s internationally harmonised mobile-satellite service spectrum, concluding the agency’s review of Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion purchase of Globalstar. The commission said the transaction will expand direct-to-device competition, strengthen emergency communications, and improve service in unserved and underserved areas.

Amazon agreed the purchase in April, and the deal is expected to close in 2027. Globalstar’s network carries satellite connectivity for Apple’s iPhones, and Amazon Leo, Amazon’s low Earth orbit broadband network formerly called Project Kuiper, has committed to honouring that capacity arrangement, according to earlier reporting on the transaction.

FCC approves Amazon Leo acquisition of Globalstar

Sources