Amazon's $11.6B Globalstar Deal Decides Who Powers iPhone Satellite Features Abroad in 2026
Amazon has agreed to acquire Globalstar for close to $11.6 billion, and in a parallel agreement it will provide satellite connectivity for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch devices. The deal, still pending regulatory approval, quietly decides who sits behind the satellite features many travelers rely on as a safety net: emergency texting, location sharing and roadside assistance when there is no cell signal.
What happened
According to Mobile World Live, Amazon will take control of Globalstar's satellite operations, infrastructure and assets, including its mobile satellite service spectrum licences and global authorisations. Globalstar shareholders can choose $90 in cash per share or 0.3210 Amazon shares, capped at $90 per share. The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approval and Globalstar reaching certain satellite milestones.
Apple is the key piece. It has been Globalstar's long-term partner and has invested more than $1 billion in the company. Today that partnership lets iPhone users text emergency services, send messages, request roadside assistance and share their location via satellite. Amazon says it will continue providing those services and collaborate with Apple on future satellite use cases.
Amazon also laid out its own roadmap: starting in 2028 it plans to deploy a next-generation direct-to-device satellite system under the Amazon Leo brand, which it says will use spectrum far more efficiently than legacy systems. It currently has about 200 satellites in orbit and a goal of 3,200 by 2029. A CCS Insight analyst described the deal as a major shortcut for Amazon into satellite services for smartphones, and as a stronger position against SpaceX's Starlink.
Why it matters to travelers
For most trips, nothing changes today. The satellite features on your iPhone keep working the way they do now, and Amazon has publicly committed to maintaining them. But the deal shows where satellite-to-phone service is heading: a race between Amazon, SpaceX and the carrier alliances. As of the latest market coverage, the three big US carriers announced their own satellite venture on October 1 with an interim CEO but no launch date, pricing or name.
The practical takeaway is that satellite is still an emergency and messaging layer, not a replacement for mobile data. Full-service satellite broadband to ordinary phones is, by SpaceX's own stated timeline, targeted for the first half of 2028, and Amazon's own system starts deploying in 2028. Until then, hiking, sailing or driving through remote areas still means relying on terrestrial networks, and satellite only helps you send a short message or share a location.
What to do before your next trip
Treat satellite as a backup, not a plan. Check that your phone supports it and that you know how to use it before you need it, because the feature needs a clear view of the sky. Then sort out the everyday connection, which is where most travelers actually spend money.
For data in cities, airports and along main roads, a travel eSIM remains the cheapest and simplest option compared with carrier roaming. Install it before you leave, keep your home line active for calls and verification codes, and switch the data to the eSIM on arrival. HolaSIM is one option if you want a prepaid data plan for your destination, but whichever provider you choose, compare coverage and validity for the countries you will actually visit.
The bottom line: Amazon's deal protects the satellite safety net on iPhones rather than changing it, and the next real shift in satellite coverage for travelers is still about two years away. Your eSIM, not the satellite, is what keeps you online on this trip.