Amazon buys Globalstar for $11 billion

(CNN)– Amazon is making a move to rival Space-x’s Starlink Service by buying satellite operator Globalstar.

It’s an $11 billion deal that’s expected to close sometime next year.

Amazon already has its own satellite-connectivity business called Leo which has a few hundred satellites in space.

However, after merging with Globalstar, Amazon will be able to grow the network and launch its own direct-to-device service.

Globalstar’s satellites support texting and emergency services on Apple iPhones when cell service isn’t available.