The US Federal Communications Commission approved Amazon Leo's acquisition of satellite communications company Globalstar on 27 October, in a deal worth about $11.5 billion. The approval covers the transfer of Globalstar's satellite and spectrum licences. With the deal, Amazon gains spectrum suited to direct-to-device satellite services for mobile phones. The transaction is expected to close in 2027.
What it means: Spectrum is the scarcest resource in satellite communications, and acquiring existing licences is much faster than bidding for new ones. With Globalstar, Amazon Leo gains the ability to compete with Starlink not only in broadband with dishes but also in connecting ordinary mobile phones to satellites, a fast-growing market for coverage in remote areas and emergency communication. FCC approval is one of the key regulatory steps, but use of the spectrum outside the US depends on each country's national authorities. In Europe, the debate on direct-to-device services is open, with European mobile operators asking that satellite spectrum not be handed to non-European players without conditions and the EU pushing its own IRIS² programme. For Greece, with many islands and mountain areas with patchy coverage, satellite services to phones could improve communication for shipping, tourism and civil protection. For businesses relying on connectivity in remote locations, more competition between satellite providers may mean better prices and choice in the coming years.
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