Amazon to Acquire Apple's Globalstar Stake in Satellite Deal

[Te0SX]

At one point soon, those giga corps need to be broken up again.

Let's say you do that to the western Giga corporations like FAANG. Then how would they compete with Asian insanely ultra Giga corprorations like Huawei, Samsung, etc.

In the car field, China has literally ****ed all western car manufacturers in just a decade, all because China is literally supporting with any means BYD, Xiaomi and all their car companies and infrastructure, throwing tons of money in order to produce cheap and quality products, automate huge factories bigger than some EU cities, R&D for future competition etc. In the meantime in the West, people like you are targeting to sue each other for stupid political reasons. If Tesla was in China instead of USA, now they would have taken over the whole world with much cheaper and more quality cars.

 

[zecal]

It's going to be interesting in Europe with "the European Commission wanting to reserve most satellite frequencies for European operators when a prized spectrum band opens up next year...It will limit the frequencies available to U.S. companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Amazon Leo, and curtail their fast expansion." This also has to do with European data sovereignty and the worldwide requirement of US companies to share data with the US Government - see https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawo...t-cant-keep-eu-data-safe-from-us-authorities/

 

[DJDQmusic]

Just what we need; more space junk. We've destroyed everything down here so let's destroy everything up there. When is enough, enough? I'm so over both of these companies.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

I can see the appeal for Amazon to acquire Globalstar as they are waaayyyy behind on satellites, behind Starlink that is.

But I think the "free" days of satellite services will come to an end, rather sooner than later, of course depending on what Apple negotiated.

I honestly think some services will remain free forever.. Or at least pay per use.. Imagine how bad the optics would look like if someone was lost somewhere and could have used the service but was blocked from doing so in an emergency.. Apple doesn't want to look bad I suspect.. So I think maybe core features could remain free forever or at least a per after charge incident.. Of course things like sending pics to family and friends would not qualify obviously... 🙂

 

[KeithBN]

Elon’s gonna pitch a fit. He’s been angling for Apple to use Starlink.

And I love that for him 😃

He’s been desperately chasing Apple for YEARS and they’ve never capitulated, this must sting for him to know that not every tech business will fall at his feet and worship him.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I don’t understand why Amazon would want to buy this, if Apple is using 85% capacity what does Amazon have to gain here

Orbital slots and spectrum.

 

[Scipster]

Guess Emergency SOS will finally adopt a monthly/annual fee. Still a good ride given it was only free for the first year (thx Apple for never actually charging!)

 

[nt5672]

I already pay for my phone and I have a Ham license. So, I'll live like everyone has lived in the last 100 years or so, by being careful, not stupid and being responsible for my own safety. Don't need no satellites for rescue.

 

[Nekronos]

I want to hear the story behind the Grapefruit Acquisition Sub II name.

It does look like someone had a bit of fun poking at the apple but not that unusual for a company with lots of subs. I've seen some pretty wacky entity names before for either acquisitions or carving out new assets.

 

[jlc1978]

I want to hear the story behind the Grapefruit Acquisition Sub II name.

Probabaly an early pick to avoid showing interest, and the G matches Globalstar and Apple is a fruit as well...

I don’t understand why Amazon would want to buy this, if Apple is using 85% capacity what does Amazon have to gain here

It gives them more satellites right away to expand services. I do not now what the bandwidth is, but they could compete with Starlink as an ISP, or even become a satellite broadcaster for Prime if the bandwidth supports it.

And why does apple want to sell it?

Maybe they don't want to invest more in a non-core business and gladly take the profit as a result.

Imagine how bad the optics would look like if someone was lost somewhere and could have used the service but was blocked from doing so in an emergency.

Sort of like 911 in the US where any phone that can connect to a tower can make a 911 call. You dial 911 and if there is no tower but satellite is available route through that.

 

[PhilJustRidingAlong]

I don’t understand why Amazon would want to buy this, if Apple is using 85% capacity what does Amazon have to gain here

Keep competitors from buying it, getting Apple as a customer, keeping shareholders happy on the sat build out.

 

[CloneBB]

911, please state your emergency after listening to this 30 second ad. You were hurt? Amazon sells bandages and can ship overnight to your location. Hello?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I wonder why Apple didn't acquire Globalstar themselves....

If they did, either the satellite service would be unavailable in the EU OR the EU would regulate Apple to let others use their network for free. Or something.

 

[jonnysods]

There's only going to be a handful of companies at the top with so much ownership and control, its kind of mind boggling.

 

[A Hobo]

At one point soon, those giga corps need to be broken up again.

Getting suspended for such a normal take, very interesting.

 

[contraband]

I am very curious why Apple is giving this up? Do they not want to own a stake in a satellite network?

 

[macsimcon]

Can we address the elephant in the room: WHO is the "better-established satellite operator"? Please not Starlink..

 

[mlayer]

I wonder why Apple didn't acquire Globalstar themselves....

Probably because it's expensive to run any telecom network regardless of tech. This whole deal smells like a spectrum play with the end being the eventual shutdown of some or all of Globalstar's services. The company has a bunch of legacy stuff, and has stuggled with profitability over the last several years.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Can we address the elephant in the room: WHO is the "better-established satellite operator"? Please not Starlink..

I know quite a few people who rely on Starlink and have great things to say about it. I have a relative that uses it too.

Do we really need to have 3+ different satellite companies throwing 30k satellites up in the sky? I'm all for competition but doesn't Starlink already have reception pretty much everywhere? When I'm dying and need to use satellite to save my life, I could care less who it comes from just as long as it works - and the last few times I tried satellite I was less than impressed.

 

[MNWildFan]

Guess Emergency SOS will finally adopt a monthly/annual fee. Still a good ride given it was only free for the first year (thx Apple for never actually charging!)

Actually, when it was announced just over 4 years ago now in 2022, they said it would be free for the first 2 years

It has now been double that, and we still don't know how much it'll cost, if there will be one that is

Even if it is only a little bit, like what T-Mobile has done with their satellite service T-Satellite, which works with Starlink (which is only $10/mo) then I'll gladly pay for it if it means that even if I go somewhere that is quite remote to the point where there's little to no cellular service, I'll be covered

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Now you can send out an SOS signal when your Prime Day purchases don't reach you next day!

 

[NewOldStock]

Satellitephonestore

Lot of competition!

 

[eifelbube]

If they did, either the satellite service would be unavailable in the EU OR the EU would regulate Apple to let others use their network for free. Or something.

I know the EUC is forcing Apple to comply with the DMA. I would be curious to know which service the EU has not allowed Apple to offer or forced Apple to offer for free so far?

 

[eifelbube]

Good to know. Still waiting for satellite services to be made available in my country.

Any satellite services available in your country?