US agency approves Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar

The Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday it has approved Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion deal to acquire Globalstar as the retail giant’s satellite arm aims to build a satellite-based communications network to take on Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink unit.

Amazon Leo has launched more than 300 satellites since April 2025 and aims to deploy about 3,200 satellites in Earth’s low orbit by 2029. Through the deal, Amazon adds Globalstar’s two dozen satellites to its existing network of more than 200 and its mobile-satellite spectrum. Amazon, which has committed to investing more than $10 billion in Leo, is preparing to roll out its commercial satellite services by the end of 2026, the FCC said.