Wed May 27 2026, 02:12 PM EDT · 1 minute read

Messages via Satellite - Image Credit: Pixabay/Terry McGraw

Apple won't be holding onto its 20% stake in Globalstar once Amazon's acquisition of the satellite firm concludes, with the shares set to be held by a "Grapefruit" company instead.

On April 14, Amazon agreed to acquire satellite service provider Globalstar in an $11 billion deal. The purchase adds Globalstar to Amazon's existing satellite portfolio, which includes its Leo business.

However, Apple holds 20% of the shares in Globalstar, under a $1.1 billion commitment from 2024, which included a $400 million share purchase. Once the deal concludes, it won't be holding onto the shares, nor the accompanying voting rights.

In a filing with the FCC dated May 26, 2026, Amazon and Globalstar ask the regulator to permit the transfer of licenses and authorizations between the two companies.…