Amazon Targets Global Connectivity with Satellite Internet Expansion

Amazon is pivoting toward the stars as it prepares to launch its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, Amazon Leo, in mid-2026. The initiative, formerly known as Project Kuiper, aims to provide high-speed broadband globally, mirroring the disruptive success the company previously achieved with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Currently, Amazon has deployed over 240 satellites, with a long-term target of 3,200 in orbit. To reduce reliance on third-party providers—including chief rival SpaceX—Amazon plans to shift the bulk of its satellite launches to Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin starting in 2027. The company has already committed billions of dollars to secure launch capacity through early 2029. A critical component of Amazon's strategy involves a potential acquisition of Globalstar. Securing Globalstar's L-band and S-band spectrum licenses would allow Amazon to connect its internet service directly to smartphones without requiring specialized hardware. However, this move faces a significant hurdle in Apple, which holds a 20% stake in Globalstar and controls 85% of its network capacity for satellite texting. Amazon has already secured service commitments from government entities and commercial airlines, including Delta and JetBlue. By promising faster speeds and lower pricing than Starlink, and offering seamless data integration with AWS for enterprise clients, Amazon is positioning Leo as a major new revenue driver. For investors, this expansion represents a potential catalyst to reverse recent lackluster stock performance.