Apple has chosen Amazon’s Project Leo as its primary satellite connectivity provider for iPhones and Apple Watches, marking a major shift years after passing on an offer from SpaceX’s Starlink. Amazon is acquiring Globalstar for an estimated $11.6 billion to accelerate its entry into the Direct-to-Device (D2D) market, where satellites beam service directly to standard mobile phones. The new agreements position Amazon’s Leo network as a serious rival to Starlink, with Apple now anchoring its satellite messaging features to Amazon’s infrastructure.
In a strategic pivot that reshapes the competitive landscape of space-based mobile connectivity, Apple has bypassed SpaceX’s Starlink and instead aligned with Amazon’s growing satellite operation. The decision, confirmed by Amazon on Tuesday, follows years of speculation about Apple’s satellite ambitions after it previously declined a proposal from Elon Musk’s Starlink network. Now, Amazon will serve as the primary satellite service provider for current and future iPhone and Apple Watch features, according to Panos Panay, Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and services.
To solidify its position, Amazon has signed a merger agreement to acquire Globalstar, the satellite operator that had already been powering Apple’s emergency SOS messaging features. The $11.6 billion deal not only gives Amazon control of existing infrastructure but also fast-tracks its ability to compete in the Direct-to-Device (D2D) sector, a fast-emerging arena where satellites connect directly to unmodified smartphones. Amazon said the acquisition will help its Leo network—formerly known as Kuiper Systems—scale up rapidly against Starlink’s market lead.
The dual announcements mark a major turning point for Amazon, which has struggled to gain traction in the satellite internet race. By locking in Apple as a marquee customer and absorbing Globalstar’s operational assets, Amazon is signaling a more aggressive push into mobile satellite services. The Apple deal, described by Amazon as a separate agreement in addition to the Globalstar acquisition, ensures that millions of iPhone and Apple Watch users will rely on Amazon’s satellites for connectivity features like off-grid messaging and emergency alerts.
Analysts see the move as a direct challenge to Starlink’s dominance in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite market, particularly as Direct-to-Device services become the next battleground for tech giants. With Apple now backing Amazon’s Leo network, the rivalry between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk extends further into consumer mobile technology. Amazon has not disclosed the financial terms of its agreement with Apple, but the multiyear partnership is expected to cover future iPhone and Watch models, potentially including new satellite-based data and voice features.
