Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) is in advanced negotiations to acquire satellite operator Globalstar (NASDAQ:GSAT), according to people familiar with the matter, a move aimed at accelerating the retail giant’s efforts to challenge Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the burgeoning satellite-broadband market.
A transaction could be announced as early as Tuesday, the people said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private.
While talks are at a mature stage, a final agreement has not yet been reached, and the negotiations could still conclude without a deal or face timing shifts.
Representatives for Amazon declined to comment, while Globalstar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The news sent Globalstar’s shares soaring approximately 19% in pre-market trading.
The Covington, Louisiana-based company has seen its market value nearly quadruple over the last 12 months, reaching a valuation of roughly $9.4 billion.
The potential acquisition comes as Amazon struggles to meet ambitious internal and regulatory timelines for its own low-earth-orbit network, known as Amazon Leo.
Designed to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink—which currently serves over 10 million customers via a 10,000-satellite constellation—Amazon’s project has faced headwinds.
The company recently petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to extend a looming July deadline to have 1,600 satellites in orbit, a fraction of its total 7,700-satellite goal.
Acquiring Globalstar would provide Amazon with an immediate, functioning satellite infrastructure.
Globalstar’s network, while smaller than Starlink’s, is specialized in connecting mobile devices in low-coverage areas.
This technical niche is currently anchored by a deep partnership with Apple, which uses Globalstar to power emergency messaging features on the iPhone.
Apple’s involvement adds a layer of complexity to any potential merger.
The iPhone maker invested $1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024, taking a 20% equity stake as part of a deal to fund the operator’s build-out.
Because Globalstar’s future deployment plans are closely tied to Apple’s product roadmap, any change in ownership would likely require the cooperation—or at least the consent—of the Cupertino-based tech giant.
Globalstar was originally formed as a joint venture between Qualcomm and Loral Corp. and launched its first satellites in 1998.
It is currently led by Chief Executive Officer Paul Jacobs, the former head of Qualcomm.
As of the end of 2025, Globalstar reported nearly 800,000 subscribers to its mobile satellite services.