The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for Amazon’s ambitions in satellite communications. The transaction strengthens Amazon’s ability to develop a satellite network capable of supporting smartphone connectivity and other communications services while intensifying competition with SpaceX’s Starlink.

FCC Approval Advances Amazon’s Satellite Strategy

The FCC said Tuesday that it had approved the transaction, allowing Amazon Leo to acquire Globalstar’s satellite assets and mobile-satellite spectrum. The approval comes as Amazon seeks to build a large low-Earth-orbit communications network capable of supporting services beyond the company’s traditional retail and cloud businesses.

Amazon has already committed more than $10 billion to its Leo satellite initiative, highlighting the scale of the company’s investment in the sector. The Globalstar acquisition adds existing infrastructure and spectrum resources that could accelerate Amazon’s efforts to establish a commercially viable satellite communications platform.

Nearly 400 Satellites Already Deployed

Amazon Leo has launched nearly 400 satellites since April 2025 and plans to deploy thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit by 2029. The expansion reflects the company’s effort to create a network capable of providing connectivity over large geographic areas and supporting applications that depend on reliable communications infrastructure.

The company is preparing to launch its commercial satellite services by the end of 2026, according to the FCC. The timing makes the Globalstar transaction particularly significant because access to additional satellites and spectrum could help Amazon accelerate the development of services as it moves closer to commercial operations.

Amazon Takes on Starlink

The acquisition also places Amazon more directly into competition with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has established a large satellite network and expanded its services across consumer, enterprise and other markets. Amazon’s entry could increase competition in satellite broadband and smartphone-to-satellite connectivity as technology companies seek to expand communications beyond traditional terrestrial networks.

For Amazon, satellite connectivity represents another major infrastructure investment alongside its existing cloud and data-center operations. The company’s ability to build the network at scale and convert the infrastructure into commercially sustainable services will be central to the long-term economics of the initiative.

Spectrum Policy Could Shape the Next Phase

The FCC approval comes as U.S. regulators consider broader questions surrounding spectrum allocation for satellite-linked mobile services. The commission is scheduled to vote Thursday on a wireless spectrum auction that could influence how satellite operators and mobile providers access additional capacity.

Amazon’s next steps will therefore extend beyond completing the Globalstar transaction. Investors will be watching the timing of commercial service, the pace of satellite deployment and the company’s ability to establish partnerships and customers for its connectivity platform. The combination of Globalstar’s spectrum, Amazon’s capital commitment and Leo’s growing satellite fleet gives the company a stronger foundation, but the scale of the investment means execution will remain critical as Amazon challenges an increasingly established satellite communications market.