Globalstar

Globalstar is the satellite operator Amazon is described as buying in Bytes: Week in Review - AI companies divided over proposed state law, Amazon buys Globalstar, and Spotify to sell physical books. The episode says the stock-and-cash deal is valued at about $11.6 billion and will help Amazon expand its low-earth-orbit satellite network.

Globalstar also matters because it already partners with Apple to provide satellite service for some iPhones and Apple Watches, including emergency texting when terrestrial service is unavailable. In the wiki, that makes Globalstar a bridge between consumer-device safety features, Direct-To-Device Satellite Connectivity, and Satellite Connectivity Competition against SpaceX.

Connections

• Amazon - acquiring company in the source.
• Apple - existing device partner named in the episode.
• Direct-To-Device Satellite Connectivity - satellite-to-phone capability the source identifies.
• Satellite Connectivity Competition, SpaceX, and Starlink - competitive market context.