On April 14 (local time), Amazon announced that it had signed a 合併契約 (gappei keiyaku, merger agreement) to acquire U.S. satellite communications company Globalstar—and at the same time entered into a new agreement with Apple to continue providing satellite services for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
The total value of the 買収 (baishuu, acquisition) has not been disclosed, but it is expected to exceed $10 billion. Shareholders can choose either $90 in cash per share or 0.3210 shares of Amazon common stock (up to $90 per share).
This is more than just a business deal—it’s a major move in the future of global satellite communication.
Expanding “Amazon Leo” Beyond Earth’s Limits
The main goal of this acquisition is to add Direct-to-Device (D2D) services to Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite ネットワーク (nettowaaku, network), known as “Amazon Leo.”
In the article, Amazon explains that it plans to expand communication カバレッジ (kabarejji, coverage) to areas where terrestrial smartphone networks do not reach. In other words, even in remote regions without cell towers, your smartphone could still connect—directly to satellites.
This type of service allows a デバイス (debaisu, device) like a smartphone or smartwatch to communicate straight with satellites, without relying on ground infrastructure.
By combining:
- Globalstar’s global mobile satellite service (MSS) frequency bands and operational expertise
- The scale and performance of Amazon Leo
Amazon aims to provide continuous, high-speed connectivity to consumers, businesses, and government agencies worldwide.
The company describes this as a global-scale 拡張 (kakuchou, expansion) of satellite communication capabilities.
Who Is Globalstar?
Globalstar was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Covington, Louisiana. It is a publicly traded company and a pioneer in non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites and D2D technology.
Importantly, Globalstar has provided critical and emergency communications services to customers around the world—including Japan.
That emergency focus is one reason this acquisition matters.
What This Means for Apple Users
Globalstar has already been working with Apple. It has supported satellite communication services for:
- iPhone 14 and later models
- Apple Watch Ultra 3
With the new agreement between Amazon and Apple, Amazon will take over and continue supporting the existing and planned satellite networks that serve Apple devices.
Looking ahead, the companies plan to cooperate using the expanded Amazon Leo network.
According to the article, this partnership ensures that Apple users can continue to access life-saving communication features—even in オフグリッド (ofuguriddo, off-grid) environments where terrestrial networks are unavailable.
These features include:
- Emergency SOS via satellite
- Text messaging to friends and family
- Location sharing through the “Find My” function
- Roadside assistance requests
All through satellite communication.
Cultural Context: Why Satellite Services Matter in Japan
Japan is a country prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. In such emergencies, ground-based communication networks can fail.
Satellite communication provides a crucial backup.
That’s why Japanese news often emphasizes emergency communication capabilities. The phrase “人命にかかわる” (related to human life) appears in the article—highlighting that this isn’t just convenience. It’s about safety.
Understanding this context helps you see why satellite ネットワーク expansion is treated as a major development in Japanese tech reporting.
Learn Japanese from This Article
Let’s break down the key vocabulary and grammar used in this news report.
Key Vocabulary
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 買収 | baishuu | acquisition, buyout |
| 合併契約 | gappei keiyaku | merger agreement |
| デバイス | debaisu | device |
| ネットワーク | nettowaaku | network |
| カバレッジ | kabarejji | coverage (signal/service area) |
| 拡張 | kakuchou | expansion, extension |
| オフグリッド | ofuguriddo | off-grid, outside normal infrastructure |
Notice how many of these are written in katakana. Japanese tech reporting frequently uses loanwords, especially for modern technology concepts.
Grammar Spotlight ①: 〜こととしている
Pattern: Verb (dictionary form) + こととしている
Meaning: The company/organization plans or intends to do something (formal, often used in news)
From the article:
通信カバレッジを拡張することとしている。 Tsūshin kabarejji o kakuchō suru koto to shite iru. “It plans to expand communication coverage.”
This structure is commonly used in business announcements and official statements.
More examples:
新サービスを開始することとしている。 Shin sābisu o kaishi suru koto to shite iru. “They plan to launch a new service.”
海外市場に進出することとしている。 Kaigai shijō ni shinshutsu suru koto to shite iru. “They intend to enter overseas markets.”
When you read Japanese news, you’ll see this pattern everywhere.
Grammar Spotlight ②: 〜により
Pattern: Noun + により
Meaning: Due to; as a result of (formal written style)
From the article:
今回の提携により、Appleユーザーは…利用し続けることが可能になる。 Konkai no teikei ni yori, Apple yūzā wa… riyō shi tsuzukeru koto ga kanō ni naru. “As a result of this partnership, Apple users will be able to continue using…”
This is a very formal expression often used in written Japanese, especially in business and legal contexts.
Compare:
- 雨により、試合は中止となった。 Ame ni yori, shiai wa chūshi to natta. “Due to rain, the game was canceled.”
It sounds more official than 〜ので or 〜から.
Useful Expression
人命にかかわる
人命にかかわる (jinmei ni kakawaru) “Related to human life” / “Life-threatening”
This phrase emphasizes seriousness:
- 人命にかかわる問題 Jinmei ni kakawaru mondai “An issue involving human lives”
You’ll often see this in disaster, medical, and emergency-related news.
Continue Learning
Ready to sharpen your news-writing and reading skills?
- Writing Practice: Crafting Initial Paragraphs: Ready to dive deeper? Our lesson on Writing Practice: Crafting Initial Paragraphs will help you master these concepts.
Keep reading real Japanese news like this, and you’ll start recognizing patterns—formal grammar, katakana tech terms, and structured announcements—just like native readers do.
これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.