Amazon dropped the biggest satellite industry bombshell in years on April 14, 2026, announcing a leading agreement to acquire Globalstar for approximately $11.57 billion. The deal, offering Globalstar shareholders $90 per share in a mix of cash and Amazon common stock, instantly transforms the competitive dynamics of the satellite internet market and hands Amazon a critical shortcut in its race to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink dominance. With Globalstar’s globally licensed L-band and S-band spectrum, 24 operational satellites, and direct-to-device technology now folding into Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), the acquisition represents far more than a simple asset purchase. It is a strategic masterstroke designed to leapfrog years of regulatory hurdles and position Amazon as a vertically integrated telecommunications powerhouse.
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Inside the $11.57 Billion Deal Structure
The acquisition agreement values Globalstar at $90 per share, payable in a combination of cash and Amazon common stock (capped at 0.3210 Amazon shares per Globalstar share). This represents a significant premium over Globalstar’s pre-deal trading levels, which saw shares close at $72.89 before the announcement. On the news, Globalstar stock surged to a 52-week high of $79.84 on April 14, with premarket trading reaching $76.50 – an 11.63% jump.
The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals from the FCC, the Department of Justice, and international spectrum authorities. Analysts at MarketBeat currently hold a mixed consensus on Globalstar with a price target of $69, reflecting two Buy ratings, two Hold ratings, and one Sell rating. Benzinga estimates Globalstar’s next quarterly revenue at $70.59 million, with earnings per share projected at negative one cent for the May 7, 2026 report.
“This acquisition represents the most significant industrial consolidation in the satellite sector this decade,” noted a SatNews analysis published shortly after the announcement. The deal bypasses FCC deployment deadlines and years of regulatory hurdles by using Globalstar’s existing mobile satellite services (MSS) licenses, which carry global authorizations that would take Amazon years to obtain independently.
Why Amazon Needs Globalstar’s Spectrum Licenses
At the heart of this acquisition lies Globalstar’s globally harmonized L-band and S-band spectrum – frequencies that are critical for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications. Unlike Amazon Leo’s Ka-band spectrum, which requires dedicated ground terminals and dishes for broadband connectivity, Globalstar’s frequencies can communicate directly with standard smartphones and IoT devices. This is the same technology that powers Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature on iPhone 14 and later models, which has been operational since 2022.
The spectrum advantage cannot be overstated. Securing new global spectrum allocations through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) typically takes five to ten years of negotiations, filings, and coordination. By acquiring Globalstar, Amazon instantly gains spectrum rights that are already licensed and operational across multiple countries, enabling the company to offer D2D services – including voice, text, and data – far sooner than any organic licensing path would allow.
William Blair analyst Louie DiPalma noted that SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile will likely seek more spectrum for capacity as the D2D market heats up, underscoring how scarce and valuable these spectrum assets have become. Amazon’s move effectively takes a significant block of usable spectrum off the market, forcing competitors to pursue more expensive and time-consuming alternatives.
Amazon Leo’s Satellite Gap: 241 vs. Starlink’s 10,097
The acquisition comes at a critical juncture for Amazon Leo. As of April 2026, Amazon has launched just 241 production satellites – a fraction of the 3,236 satellites authorized by the FCC for its full constellation. The company faces a regulatory deadline to have 1,618 satellites operational by July 2026, a target that appears increasingly difficult to meet. Amazon’s fifth launch occurred on April 4, 2026, deploying 29 satellites via a ULA Atlas V rocket, following the first production batch of 27 satellites on April 28, 2025.
By contrast, SpaceX’s Starlink constellation has grown to over 10,097 satellites in orbit as of April 14, 2026, with the company reaching 10 million subscribers in February 2026. The sheer scale difference – a 42x satellite gap – illustrates why Amazon pursued an acquisition strategy rather than relying solely on organic constellation deployment.
| Metric | Amazon Leo (Project Kuiper) | SpaceX Starlink | Globalstar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellites in Orbit (April 2026) | 241 | 10,097+ | ~24 |
| Planned Total Satellites | 3,236 | 42,000+ | N/A (merging into Leo) |
| Subscribers | Enterprise trials only | 10 million | Apple Emergency SOS |
| Primary Spectrum | Ka-band | Ku/Ka-band | L-band, S-band |
| D2D Capability | No (requires terminal) | Limited (T-Mobile partnership) | Yes (smartphone native) |
| FCC Deployment Deadline | 1,618 by July 2026 | Met | N/A |
| Launch Providers | ULA, SpaceX, Blue Origin | SpaceX (in-house) | N/A |
Globalstar’s 24 existing satellites add relatively little orbital capacity, but their ground infrastructure, spectrum coordination agreements, and operational expertise are invaluable. Amazon plans to deploy new satellites with expanded Globalstar capabilities that will operate alongside the Amazon Leo broadband constellation, creating a hybrid network offering both terminal-based broadband and smartphone-native D2D connectivity.
The Direct-to-Device Market: A $50 Billion Battleground
Amazon’s acquisition is a calculated bet on the direct-to-device satellite market, which industry analysts project could reach $50 billion by 2030. D2D technology allows satellites to communicate directly with unmodified smartphones, eliminating the need for specialized terminals or antennas. This capability is transformative for emergency communications, IoT connectivity in remote areas, and extending cellular coverage to the 15% of Earth’s land surface that remains unconnected.
The competitive landscape in D2D is rapidly intensifying. SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile for its direct-to-cell service, which began limited beta testing in 2025. AST SpaceMobile has launched its first commercial satellites and is targeting smartphone connectivity with its BlueWalker technology. Qualcomm has integrated satellite communication capabilities into its Snapdragon modem platforms. And Apple’s existing partnership with Globalstar – now effectively an Amazon asset – introduces a fascinating dynamic where Amazon becomes the infrastructure provider behind a key iPhone feature.
“The D2D satellite market is where the real value creation happens over the next decade,” said Tim Farrar, a satellite communications analyst at TMF Associates. “Amazon buying Globalstar isn’t just about catching up to Starlink — it’s about positioning for a market that barely exists today but will be enormous by 2030.”
Amazon’s Vertical Integration Strategy in Space
The Globalstar acquisition completes Amazon’s vertical stack in space infrastructure. The company now controls or has access to every layer of the satellite communications value chain: launch capabilities through contracts with Blue Origin (New Glenn), United Launch Alliance, and even SpaceX; broadband connectivity via the Amazon Leo constellation; direct-to-device spectrum via Globalstar’s L-band and S-band licenses; and ground infrastructure through AWS Ground Station, Amazon’s managed ground station service that already supports satellite downlink operations globally.
This vertical integration mirrors SpaceX’s model, which combines in-house rocket manufacturing (Falcon 9, Starship), satellite production, and ground station networks. However, Amazon’s approach differs in one critical respect: its integration with AWS. By routing satellite data through the world’s largest cloud computing platform, Amazon can offer end-to-end connectivity solutions that combine satellite access with cloud computing, edge processing, and AI analytics – a package no other satellite operator can match.
The AWS Ground Station service, which launched in 2019, already supports satellite data processing for government and commercial customers. With Globalstar’s ground infrastructure merging into this network, Amazon can offer redundant, globally distributed ground station coverage that reduces latency and increases reliability for D2D services.
Impact on Apple’s Emergency SOS Partnership
One of the most immediate and intriguing consequences of the acquisition involves Apple. Since 2022, Globalstar has been the exclusive satellite partner for Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature, which enables iPhone 14 and later models to send emergency texts and share location data in areas without cellular coverage. Apple has invested significant resources in this partnership, including subsidizing Globalstar’s satellite network upgrades.
With Amazon now controlling Globalstar, Apple faces a delicate situation. Its satellite emergency service depends on infrastructure owned by one of its biggest competitors in cloud computing, consumer electronics, and digital services. While existing contractual agreements will likely protect Apple’s access in the near term, the long-term dynamics could shift. Amazon could theoretically prioritize its own D2D services, renegotiate pricing, or gain insight into Apple’s satellite usage patterns.
“Apple is probably already diversifying its satellite partnerships,” said Mark Lowenstein, managing director of Mobile Ecosystem. “No company wants its critical emergency infrastructure controlled by a direct competitor. We could see Apple accelerate work with AST SpaceMobile or even build its own satellite capabilities.”
Financial Analysis: Is $11.57 Billion a Fair Price?
Globalstar’s quarterly revenue of approximately $70.59 million (annualized at roughly $282 million) makes the $11.57 billion acquisition price appear steep at first glance – approximately 41 times annual revenue. However, the valuation reflects the strategic premium Amazon is paying for Globalstar’s spectrum assets rather than its current revenue stream.
Spectrum licenses are among the most valuable assets in telecommunications. In the terrestrial wireless market, spectrum auctions routinely command tens of billions of dollars. The FCC’s C-band auction in 2021 generated $81 billion in bids for spectrum covering the U.S. alone. Globalstar’s globally harmonized L-band and S-band licenses, which cover international markets without requiring country-by-country auctions, represent a unique asset that would be nearly impossible to replicate.
“You’re not paying for 24 satellites and $280 million in revenue,” said Chris Quilty, founder of Quilty Space. “You’re paying for global spectrum that would cost you a decade and potentially far more than $11 billion to acquire through regulatory channels. Amazon is buying time as much as it is buying assets.”
| Financial Metric | Globalstar (Pre-Acquisition) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition Price | $11.57 billion | $90/share (cash + Amazon stock) |
| Estimated Quarterly Revenue | $70.59 million | Benzinga estimate for Q1 2026 |
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 17.6% | Most recent quarterly comparison |
| Estimated EPS | -$0.01 | Benzinga estimate for May 2026 report |
| 52-Week High | $79.84 | Reached on April 14, 2026 |
| 12-Month Stock Return | 229.31% | Driven by acquisition speculation |
| Analyst Consensus | Hold | 2 Buy, 2 Hold, 1 Sell |
| Average Price Target | $69 | MarketBeat consensus |
The Starlink Factor: How SpaceX Responds
SpaceX’s Starlink remains the dominant force in satellite internet with over 10,097 satellites and 10 million subscribers. The company’s first-mover advantage, vertically integrated launch capability, and aggressive deployment cadence have created barriers to entry that no competitor has successfully overcome. Yet Amazon’s Globalstar acquisition changes the competitive equation in ways that pure satellite count does not capture.
Starlink’s primary business model revolves around ground-terminal-based broadband, where customers purchase a dish (typically $499-$599) and pay monthly subscription fees ranging from $120 to $500 depending on the service tier. While SpaceX has partnered with T-Mobile for limited D2D capabilities, its Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies are not ideally suited for direct smartphone communication. Amazon’s newly acquired L-band and S-band spectrum, by contrast, is purpose-built for D2D – meaning Amazon could offer smartphone connectivity without requiring any hardware purchase.
SpaceX is also navigating its own massive financial event. The company filed for what could be a $1.75 trillion IPO, which would make it the largest public listing in history. Any competitive threat to Starlink’s market position could affect investor sentiment around that offering, adding another dimension to the Amazon-SpaceX satellite rivalry.
Regulatory Hurdles and the Path to Closing
The acquisition faces significant regulatory scrutiny before its expected 2027 closing date. The FCC must approve the transfer of Globalstar’s spectrum licenses to Amazon, a process that typically involves public comment periods and competitive review. Given Amazon’s existing spectrum holdings through Amazon Leo, regulators will examine whether the combined entity creates excessive spectrum concentration in any frequency band.
The Department of Justice’s antitrust division will also review the deal for competitive implications. Amazon’s dominant positions in e-commerce, cloud computing (AWS), and digital services already attract regulatory attention. Adding telecommunications infrastructure could amplify concerns about Amazon’s growing control over critical infrastructure sectors.
International regulatory approvals add further complexity. Globalstar’s spectrum licenses span dozens of countries, each with its own telecommunications authority. While most of these licenses should transfer without significant opposition, countries with strained U.S. trade relations – particularly those affected by ongoing tariff disputes – could use the approval process as use in broader geopolitical negotiations.
Unnamed analysts have also noted that the deal will not resolve Amazon’s rocket launch bottlenecks. Amazon Leo relies on ULA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin for satellite deployment, and none of these providers can match SpaceX’s internal launch cadence. Even with Globalstar’s assets, Amazon must still solve its satellite manufacturing and launch throughput challenges to meet FCC deadlines.
The Broader Satellite Industry Consolidation Wave
Amazon’s Globalstar acquisition is the latest and largest in a wave of satellite industry consolidation. The sector has seen increasing merger activity as the capital requirements for building and maintaining satellite constellations push smaller operators toward partnerships or exits. OneWeb, backed by the UK government and Bharti Global, has explored merger options with competitors. Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation has faced repeated delays and funding challenges. And Iridium, with its 66-satellite LEO constellation, has been mentioned as a potential acquisition target for cloud or technology companies seeking satellite infrastructure.
The consolidation trend reflects a fundamental economic reality: satellite internet requires massive upfront capital expenditure with uncertain near-term returns. Amazon has committed over $10 billion to Project Kuiper, and the $11.57 billion Globalstar deal more than doubles its total investment in space infrastructure. Only companies with the financial depth of Amazon, SpaceX, or state-backed enterprises can sustain this level of spending.
This dynamic is reshaping the Big Tech infrastructure spending landscape. Satellite connectivity is increasingly viewed as a complement to terrestrial cloud services, with Amazon, Google (through partnerships), and Microsoft (through Azure Orbital) all building space-to-cloud capabilities. The line between cloud computing and satellite communications is blurring, and the companies that control both will have significant competitive advantages in serving government, enterprise, and eventually consumer markets.
What the Amazon Globalstar Deal Means for Consumers
For end users, the acquisition promises expanded connectivity options but also raises questions about market power. Amazon’s stated goal is to provide “greater choice, flexibility, and value” in satellite communications, with D2D services enabling continuous connectivity for consumer, enterprise, and government customers. In practical terms, this could mean Amazon-powered satellite text messaging, voice calls, and data services available on standard smartphones within the next three to five years.
The consumer impact depends heavily on how Amazon prices and packages these services. If Amazon follows its typical playbook – subsidizing services to gain market share, then monetizing through platform lock-in – satellite connectivity could become remarkably affordable. Amazon could bundle satellite D2D access with Prime memberships, AWS enterprise contracts, or Alexa-connected device subscriptions, creating ecosystem advantages that standalone satellite operators cannot match.
However, the concentration of satellite infrastructure in the hands of a few tech giants raises legitimate concerns about digital equity and competition. “When Amazon, SpaceX, and potentially Apple control the satellite connectivity layer, they effectively become gatekeepers for the last unconnected populations on Earth,” said Sascha Meinrath, Palmer Chair in Telecommunications at Penn State University. “We need to ensure that universal connectivity doesn’t come at the price of universal dependence on two or three companies.”
Amazon’s FCC Deadline Crisis and the Kuiper-Globalstar Synergy
Amazon faces an immediate regulatory challenge that makes the Globalstar acquisition even more strategically important. The FCC requires Amazon Leo to have 1,618 satellites operational by July 2026 – just three months away. With only 241 satellites launched as of April 2026, Amazon is on pace to fall dramatically short of this deadline. The company has reportedly filed for an extension, but FCC spectrum regulators have historically been reluctant to grant extended timelines without evidence of good-faith deployment efforts.
Globalstar’s existing MSS licenses operate under separate regulatory frameworks with less aggressive deployment requirements. By integrating Globalstar’s operational satellites and spectrum into its broader strategy, Amazon creates a fallback position: even if it misses the Amazon Leo deployment deadline, it can still offer satellite services through Globalstar’s licensed infrastructure. This regulatory arbitrage may have been a significant factor in Amazon’s decision to pursue the acquisition at this particular moment.
The fifth Amazon Leo launch on April 4, 2026, deployed 29 satellites via ULA’s Atlas V. Previous launches included the initial 27-satellite batch on April 28, 2025, and three SpaceX missions carrying 24 satellites each throughout 2025. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, which Amazon has contracted for multiple launches, has experienced delays that further complicate the deployment timeline. The Globalstar deal gives Amazon breathing room while it works through these launch logistics challenges.
5 Predictions for the Post-Acquisition Satellite Market
The Amazon-Globalstar deal sets in motion a series of market shifts that will play out over the next several years. Based on the current competitive dynamics, here are five predictions for how the satellite internet market evolves:
1. Apple will announce an alternative satellite partnership by Q4 2026. Apple cannot afford to have its Emergency SOS infrastructure controlled by Amazon. Expect Apple to either build redundancy through AST SpaceMobile, negotiate a long-term guaranteed access agreement with Amazon, or accelerate development of proprietary satellite capabilities. Apple’s $3.4 trillion market cap gives it the financial resources to pursue any of these options.
2. SpaceX will accelerate its T-Mobile D2D rollout. Amazon’s entry into the D2D market with purpose-built spectrum will pressure SpaceX to expand its T-Mobile direct-to-cell partnership beyond beta testing. Expect SpaceX to announce commercial D2D availability in 2027, potentially with additional carrier partnerships beyond T-Mobile.
3. At least two more satellite operators will be acquired by 2028. The consolidation wave is just beginning. Iridium, Telesat, and smaller MSS operators are likely acquisition targets for tech giants or telecommunications companies seeking satellite infrastructure. Microsoft, Google, and major telcos like AT&T and Verizon are all potential buyers.
4. Amazon will bundle satellite D2D access with Prime by 2028. Amazon’s playbook consistently involves integrating new capabilities into its Prime membership ecosystem. Satellite connectivity – particularly emergency communications and basic messaging – is a natural Prime perk that would differentiate the membership from competitors while driving adoption of Amazon’s satellite services.
5. The FCC will create new spectrum allocation rules for D2D by 2027. The Amazon-Globalstar deal, combined with SpaceX-T-Mobile and AST SpaceMobile’s activities, will force regulators to establish clearer frameworks for D2D spectrum sharing, interference management, and consumer protection. Expect a major FCC rulemaking proceeding within 18 months.
Historical Context: Amazon’s $10 Billion Space Bet
Amazon’s satellite ambitions trace back to 2019, when the company first announced Project Kuiper with plans to deploy 3,236 low Earth orbit satellites to provide broadband internet access. The project was initially budgeted at over $10 billion, making it one of the largest private infrastructure investments in space history. In 2023, Amazon rebranded the initiative as Amazon Leo, signaling its evolution from a standalone project into an integrated division within Amazon’s broader technology portfolio.
The first two prototype satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2, launched in October 2023 and successfully demonstrated broadband connectivity. Production satellite launches began in April 2025, with Amazon initially targeting aggressive deployment schedules that relied on multiple launch providers. However, rocket availability constraints – particularly delays with Blue Origin’s New Glenn and limited SpaceX Falcon 9 slots – have slowed deployment below initial projections.
Amazon’s total space infrastructure investment now exceeds $21 billion when combining the original Project Kuiper budget with the Globalstar acquisition. This positions satellite connectivity as one of Amazon’s largest capital allocation decisions since the early AWS data center buildouts, which ultimately generated the company’s most profitable business division. The strategic logic is clear: just as AWS created a platform layer that made Amazon indispensable for cloud computing, Amazon Leo combined with Globalstar’s D2D capabilities could create a connectivity platform layer that extends Amazon’s reach to the most remote corners of the planet.
Expert Analysis: What Industry Leaders Are Saying
The acquisition has generated strong reactions across the telecommunications and aerospace industries. Analysts and industry observers are largely divided between those who view the deal as a strategic masterstroke and those who question whether Amazon can execute on its ambitious satellite vision.
Chris Quilty, founder of aerospace advisory firm Quilty Space, emphasized the spectrum value: “Globalstar’s spectrum is an irreplaceable asset. There are only a handful of MSS operators with globally licensed bands, and Amazon just took one off the board. The remaining operators — Iridium, Inmarsat’s successor, and Ligado — are now significantly more valuable as acquisition targets.”
Tim Farrar of TMF Associates highlighted the execution risk: “Amazon has the money and the strategic vision, but it still needs to solve the launch problem. You can have all the spectrum in the world, but if you can’t get satellites into orbit fast enough, Starlink’s head start becomes insurmountable. The next 18 months are critical.”
On the Apple dimension, Mark Lowenstein of Mobile Ecosystem pointed to precedent: “Remember when Google acquired Motorola partly for its patents? Apple eventually found alternatives and moved on. The same will happen here. Apple is not going to let Amazon control a critical piece of iPhone infrastructure indefinitely.”
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The Competitive Satellite Internet Landscape in 2026
The satellite internet market has evolved dramatically from the days of expensive, high-latency geostationary services. Today’s LEO constellations offer broadband speeds competitive with terrestrial fiber in many regions, and the emerging D2D segment promises to extend connectivity to billions of devices without any ground infrastructure. Amazon’s acquisition reshapes the competitive landscape, but several other players remain formidable.
SpaceX Starlink leads in subscribers (10 million), satellites (10,097+), and brand recognition. Its partnership with major aerospace platforms and airlines gives it distribution advantages that newer entrants lack. AST SpaceMobile, backed by strategic investors including Vodafone and AT&T, has launched its first commercial-class satellites and offers direct-to-unmodified-phone connectivity using standard cellular frequencies. OneWeb, now part of Eutelsat OneWeb, operates a medium Earth orbit constellation focused on government and enterprise customers. And emerging players like Astranis (geostationary microsatellites) and Lynk Global (cell-tower-in-space) are carving out niche positions.
Amazon’s combination of Leo broadband satellites, Globalstar D2D spectrum, AWS cloud integration, and consumer platform distribution creates a uniquely thorough offering. No other satellite operator can match this end-to-end capability. The question is whether Amazon can deploy satellites fast enough to realize this vision before competitors establish dominant positions in their respective segments.
What Investors Should Watch
For investors, the Amazon-Globalstar deal creates several actionable dynamics. Amazon stock may face near-term pressure from the $11.57 billion cash outlay, though the strategic value of the acquisition supports Amazon’s long-term growth narrative. Globalstar shareholders receiving Amazon stock should evaluate whether they want exposure to Amazon’s broader business or prefer to liquidate at closing.
The deal also has implications for adjacent companies. AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) could see increased investor interest as a potential acquisition target or Apple partner. Iridium (IRDM) and its spectrum assets may attract premium valuations as the pool of available satellite operators shrinks. Launch providers like Rocket Lab (RKLB) and Relativity Space stand to benefit from increased demand for satellite deployment services as both Amazon and its competitors accelerate constellation buildouts.
Investors should also monitor the FCC review process closely. Any conditions attached to the spectrum license transfer – such as mandatory service commitments, pricing constraints, or spectrum sharing requirements – could materially affect the deal’s value to Amazon. The regulatory review is expected to take 12 to 18 months, creating a window of uncertainty that could drive volatility in both Amazon and satellite sector stocks.
FAQ: Amazon’s $11.57 Billion Globalstar Acquisition
How much is Amazon paying for Globalstar?
Amazon is paying approximately $11.57 billion for Globalstar, structured as $90 per share in a combination of cash and Amazon common stock (capped at 0.3210 Amazon shares per Globalstar share). The deal was announced on April 14, 2026, and is expected to close in 2027 pending regulatory approvals.
What does Globalstar do?
Globalstar is a mobile satellite services operator that provides critical and emergency communications worldwide. It operates approximately 24 non-geostationary orbit satellites and holds globally harmonized L-band and S-band spectrum licenses. Globalstar is best known as the satellite partner powering Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite feature on iPhone 14 and later models.
How does this affect Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite?
Apple’s Emergency SOS service relies on Globalstar’s satellite network, which will now be owned by Amazon. Existing contracts will likely protect Apple’s access in the near term, but the long-term dynamics may shift. Industry analysts expect Apple to diversify its satellite partnerships to reduce dependence on Amazon-controlled infrastructure.
How many satellites does Amazon have compared to SpaceX?
As of April 2026, Amazon Leo has 241 production satellites in orbit compared to SpaceX Starlink’s 10,097+ satellites. Amazon’s planned constellation calls for 3,236 total satellites, with an FCC deadline of 1,618 operational by July 2026. SpaceX has approval for up to 42,000 satellites.
When will the Amazon-Globalstar deal close?
The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals from the FCC, the Department of Justice, and international telecommunications authorities across the countries where Globalstar holds spectrum licenses.
What is direct-to-device (D2D) satellite technology?
Direct-to-device technology allows satellites to communicate directly with standard smartphones and IoT devices without requiring specialized ground terminals or antennas. Globalstar’s L-band and S-band spectrum is particularly well-suited for D2D communications, enabling voice, text, and data services in areas without cellular coverage. This is the technology behind Apple’s satellite Emergency SOS and similar services from SpaceX-T-Mobile and AST SpaceMobile.
