The Federal Communications Commission's Space Bureau approved Amazon Leo's bid to acquire about 25 megahertz of Globalstar mobile-satellite service spectrum. The FCC said the Oct. 27 decision concludes its review of the $11.5 billion purchase.
According to an FCC release republished by the Benton Institute, the transaction is likely to benefit the public by enhancing coverage in unserved or underserved areas, strengthening emergency communications, fostering industrial and enterprise data services, plus promoting more intensive use of mobile-satellite spectrum. The agency also found that no material public-interest harms were likely.
In their April announcement of the merger, Amazon and the satellite operator said the transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to conditions that include regulatory approvals plus Globalstar meeting certain HIBLEO-4 replacement milestones.