Amazon is pursuing a major acquisition to close its satellite-internet gap.
Globalstar stock jumped 15% on reports the e-commerce giant is negotiating to buy the company for roughly $9 billion.
Apple already owns 20% of Globalstar - a $1.5 billion bet made in 2024 - adding complexity to any deal.
Amazon's Project Kuiper currently operates 200 satellites, a fraction of SpaceX's 10,000-strong Starlink constellation. The company plans to launch 7,700 satellites total but faces a regulatory crunch.
The FCC demanded progress on a 1,600-satellite deployment deadline that Amazon requested more time to meet.
Acquiring Globalstar would accelerate that timeline while accessing orbital spectrum and operational expertise.
Amazon loses money on consumer services but views connectivity as essential infrastructure for future cloud and logistics networks.
A Globalstar deal signals the company will not cede this market to SpaceX, especially as rural broadband demand grows.
Apple's 20% stake creates a wild card. If Apple blocks or complicates the acquisition, Amazon loses its fastest path to catching Starlink. The FCC deadline is the real pressure point.
