Big story for all involved.
Four competitors as it stands now:
- Globalstar, NASDAQ GSAT, $84 / share
- Apple's native iPhone satellite connectivity (like Emergency SOS and satellite messaging) is provided by Globalstar. Apple uses Globalstar's satellite network and ground stations, and has heavily invested in the company to expand its infrastructure and launch new satellites
- Starlink, private, wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX
- recent news: American Airlines -- exclusive deal to use Starlink for commercial a/c wifi
- AST Space Mobile, NASDAQ ASTS, $130 / share -- on a tear; primarily uses SpaceX, Blue Origin and ISRO (India) to launch satellites
- Amazon Leo:
- to acquire Globalstar in $12 billion deal; will take awhile to close; requires regulator approval.
- see how social media feels about this, link here.
Query:
Right now it looks like there are four satellite-to-phone operators: Globalstar; Starlink Mobile, Amazon LEO and AST SpaceMobile. Now, Amazon LEO is going to buy Globalstar?
Reply:
Apple: owns 20% of Globalstar. Will sell its stake to Amazon if deal goes through. Nothing (supposedly) changes with regard to what end-user sees. Links everywhere. Helps account for recent Apple / AAPL activity.
- the rich get richer
- "Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me." F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- "Yes, they have money." Ernest Hemingway.
