Apple and Amazon Team Up to Challenge Starlink Satellites

Amazon’s set to acquire Globalstar’s low-Earth orbit satellite network for $11.57 billion. This move brings Apple into the mix as a key partner and sets up a direct competition with SpaceX’s Starlink for satellite-connected smartphones.

What Just Happened

Amazon is buying Globalstar, a company that operates satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO). These satellites circle the planet at about 1,200 miles above the surface, much closer than traditional communication satellites. The $11.57 billion deal gives Amazon access to Globalstar’s spectrum licenses (the radio frequencies reserved for satellite communication), ground operations, and the entire network of orbiting hardware.

Now, here’s where Apple comes into play. Apple owned a 20 percent stake in Globalstar, and as part of this deal, Amazon will maintain the satellite service agreement Apple had with Globalstar. This agreement powers the emergency SOS and roadside assistance features on recent iPhones and Apple Watches, allowing you to send distress messages when you’re completely off the cellular grid.

So, Apple’s satellite safety net isn’t going away; it’s just moving to Amazon.

Why Amazon Is Doing This

Amazon has been working on its own satellite internet service called Project Kuiper. It’s basically their answer to SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently operates over 6,000 satellites and offers direct-to-smartphone messaging in select markets. Although Kuiper has been slower to launch, acquiring Globalstar’s existing spectrum licenses gives Amazon a significant legal edge. Spectrum is a limited and heavily regulated resource. Instead of spending years battling for new frequencies, Amazon just bought a company that already has them.

Think of it like buying a plot of land in a busy city instead of waiting years for approval on an empty lot elsewhere.

What This Means for Apple

Apple’s satellite features, currently limited to emergencies and roadside assistance, could expand significantly with this arrangement. Once fully deployed, Amazon’s Kuiper network would provide Apple with far more satellite capacity than Globalstar alone could offer. This could enable Apple to move from “emergency only” to more regular uses, like sending texts from a dead zone or getting basic data while hiking in remote areas.

Starlink is already collaborating with T-Mobile to provide direct satellite connectivity to everyday Android and iPhone users, with expanded service expected throughout 2025 and 2026. An Apple-Amazon partnership, backed by Globalstar’s spectrum and Kuiper’s growing satellite fleet, poses a serious challenge to that.

What This Means for Everyday Users

For now, nothing changes immediately. Your iPhone’s emergency SOS satellite feature will keep functioning just as it does today. However, the long-term picture looks more promising.

If Amazon aggressively builds out Kuiper and Apple deepens this partnership, future iPhones could offer satellite connectivity that goes beyond emergencies. Imagine sending iMessages or getting turn-by-turn directions in a national park with zero cell signal. That’s where this is headed, though we don’t have a specific timeline or product announcements yet.

This also means real competition in satellite connectivity for consumers. Starlink has a head start in space-based smartphone features, but a combined Amazon-Apple effort, supported by Globalstar’s existing spectrum, could be the most credible challenge to that lead we’ve seen.

Community Reaction

“Honestly just glad Apple’s satellite SOS isn’t going anywhere. That feature has saved lives. Everything else is a bonus.”

— u/TrailRunner_PDX, Reddit

“So Amazon buys the satellites Apple was using, and Apple just… stays on board? This is a weird partnership but it makes sense if you think about how much both companies need this to work against Starlink.”

— YouTube comment on The Verge’s coverage

What To Watch

• Project Kuiper launch pace: Amazon plans to launch thousands of satellites in the coming years. How quickly this constellation grows will affect when expanded Apple features become available.
• Apple’s next iPhone cycle: Apple usually announces new iPhones in September. Any announcements about expanded satellite features would likely happen then.
• Starlink’s T-Mobile rollout: SpaceX and T-Mobile are expanding direct satellite-to-phone service throughout 2026. This rollout sets a clear competitive deadline for Amazon and Apple to respond.
• Regulatory approval: A deal of this magnitude will need to pass antitrust review. Keep an eye on any FCC or DOJ scrutiny of the spectrum transfer.

Sources: The Verge | MacRumors