• Amazon has signed a deal to acquire Globalstar to expand its low-Earth orbit satellite network and add direct-to-device services.

• The company aims to compete more aggressively with SpaceX’s Starlink, particularly in underserved markets such as Africa.

• Amazon plans to deploy around 3,000 satellites and launch advanced D2D services from 2028.

Amazon is preparing the commercial launch of its satellite internet services, with which it aims to compete with Starlink. In Africa, the company has already expressed interest in markets such as Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

The U.S. technology group has signed an agreement to acquire Globalstar. This transaction will allow Amazon Leo to add direct-to-device (D2D) services to its low-Earth orbit satellite network and extend cellular coverage to areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks. As a result, the group is strengthening its position against its main competitor, Starlink.

“Billions of people live, travel, and work in areas not covered by existing networks, and we launched Amazon Leo to bridge that gap. By combining Globalstar’s proven expertise with Amazon’s innovation, customers will enjoy faster, more reliable service in more places,” said Panos Panay, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services at Amazon, in a company statement published on Tuesday, April 14.

Starting in 2028, Amazon Leo will deploy its own next-generation D2D satellite system, enabling advanced voice, data and messaging services directly to mobile phones. The system will deliver significantly higher spectral efficiency than existing solutions, translating into improved performance and higher speeds. The full network will include thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites capable of connecting hundreds of millions of devices worldwide.

Moreover, Amazon has signed an agreement with Apple under which Amazon Leo will provide satellite services for the iPhone and Apple Watch. This deal will extend the existing partnership between Globalstar and Apple, which already enables emergency messaging and location sharing. The companies plan to develop additional features over time.

Accelerating Deployment

This announcement comes as Amazon continues to deploy its constellation ahead of the commercial rollout of its services. As of end-March 2026, the company had already launched more than 200 satellites, with more than 200 additional units ready for deployment. In total, it plans to deploy around 3,000 satellites.

“We are ready to move even faster from the second year onward — a direct result of our long-term investments in satellite manufacturing, launch capabilities and infrastructure. Each satellite strengthens network coverage and capacity, and we are on track to more than double our annual launch rate, with more than 20 missions, while sending even more satellites into space each time,” the company said in a note published at the end of March.

Amazon is following the trajectory of Starlink, which has already deployed more than 10,000 satellites. The service is now commercially available in dozens of countries worldwide, including around 30 in Africa. The operator mainly provides access via a dedicated terminal, but it has also begun gradually deploying its “direct-to-cell” service since March 2025.

To date, Starlink operates around 650 satellites dedicated to this service, which is already available in about ten countries, with imminent launches planned in around 30 others, including 14 in Africa. The company also plans to deploy, starting in 2027, a second generation of “direct-to-cell” satellites, with an initial batch of approximately 1,200 units.

Africa, the Next Battleground

With its capabilities, Amazon Leo will primarily target remote areas, particularly in Africa. The company has already engaged with authorities in several markets, including Liberia, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. In Nigeria, the company has already obtained licenses earlier this year.

Amazon is entering a continent where the digital divide remains significant and where satellite technology represents a relevant solution to address connectivity gaps. In 2024, only 28% of Africa’s population used the Internet. Moreover, 9% of the population had no network coverage, while 64% had coverage but did not use available services.

However, competition is intensifying in the satellite segment as companies seek to capture this market’s potential. Beyond Starlink, telecom operators such as MTN Group and Orange have launched satellite offerings. The market also includes OneWeb, which provides services based on low-Earth orbit satellites. However, OneWeb relies on internet service providers and telecom operators to distribute its capacity to end users.

Isaac K. Kassouwi