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FCC Approves Amazon Leo’s $11.5B Globalstar Acquisition

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

The U.S. FCC approved Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar on Oct. 27, 2026.
The deal transfers roughly 25 MHz of MSS spectrum in L-band (1610-1618.725 MHz) and S-band (2483.5-2500 MHz).
Amazon Leo will acquire Globalstar’s two dozen LEO satellites and the planned 48-satellite C-3 constellation.
Apple’s 20% stake, bought for $1.5 billion in 2024, will transfer to Amazon while it continues Emergency SOS and Find My.

History

In 1999 the Federal Communications Commission auctioned 20 MHz of L-band spectrum for satellite services, a landmark that enabled the first commercial LEO constellations. The auction generated $1.5 billion in revenue, with industry players such as Motorola, Iridium and the United States Department of Defense securing key blocks. Today the FCC’s approval of Amazon’s $11.5 billion purchase of Globalstar mirrors that 1999 precedent, transferring 25 MHz of L-band and S-band spectrum to a major tech firm. The deal consolidates satellite capacity under Amazon Leo, positioning the United States to dominate future global communications and emergency-service networks.

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In 1999 the Federal Communications Commission auctioned 20 MHz of L-band spectrum for satellite services, a landmark that enabled the first commercial LEO constellations. The auction generated $1.5 billion in revenue, with industry players such as Motorola, Iridium and the United States Department of Defense securing key blocks. Today the FCC’s approval of Amazon’s $11.5 billion purchase of Globalstar mirrors that 1999 precedent, transferring 25 MHz of L-band and S-band spectrum to a major tech firm. The deal consolidates satellite capacity under Amazon Leo, positioning the United States to dominate future global communications and emergency-service networks.

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