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Globalstar
Globalstar was founded in 2003 as a reorganization of the earlier Globalstar LP, inheriting a low-earth-orbit satellite constellation designed for voice...
Globalstar
Globalstar was founded in 2003 as a reorganization of the earlier Globalstar LP, inheriting a low-earth-orbit satellite constellation designed for voice and low-speed data. The firm secured a second-generation network between 2010 and 2013, and subsequently gained an unusual asset: FCC authorization to deploy terrestrial low-power broadband over portions of its 2.4 GHz S-band spectrum. Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, the former CEO of Qualcomm and an architect of modern CDMA, was named CEO in 2023, signaling the board's intent to exploit the spectrum's terrestrial potential. The company generates revenue through wholesale satellite capacity, particularly its multi-year partnership with Apple to provide emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 and later models (per the firm, September 2022). Its terrestrial spectrum authority underpins private cellular network trials with partners such as Nokia for industrial IoT, ports, and remote logistics. Globalstar's asset mix spans the LEO constellation itself, a network of ground gateways in North America and South America, and a highly specific spectrum position that satellite rivals lack, while terrestrial carriers cannot easily replicate the uplink-to-space path for failover connectivity. Globalstar does not publicly disclose a headcount specific to the reconstituted 2023 leadership team, though previous filings placed total employees near 300. The company's operational footprint is concentrated at its Covington, Louisiana headquarters, with additional gateway sites in Canada, Brazil, and Botswana. In May 2024, Globalstar announced an arrangement to establish a new subsidiary to hold and develop its terrestrial spectrum, supported by an unnamed large customer commitment, signaling a potential restructuring of the asset's ownership and monetization path (per the firm, May 2024). Globalstar's structural differentiator is a spectrum-coexistence model practically unique among satellite operators. The company holds both satellite and terrestrial rights across the same S-band — a dual-use authorization originally granted to address coverage gaps, now repurposed to act as a bridge between orbital assets and ground-based private wireless. This regulatory dispensation, granted when other licensed satellite spectrum cannot touch the ground, creates an asymmetric moat that a pure-play satellite operator or a pure terrestrial tower company cannot easily duplicate.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2003
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Covington
Corporate office
Covington, LA, United States
Principals
Paul E. Jacobs
CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Globalstar now and what is their background?
Dr. Paul E. Jacobs was appointed CEO in 2023. He previously served as CEO and Executive Chairman of Qualcomm, where he led the company's push into 4G and mobile processor technology. His arrival signals an emphasis on commercializing Globalstar's terrestrial spectrum assets for private networks, leveraging his relationships across the cellular ecosystem.
What spectrum does Globalstar own, and why does it matter?
Globalstar holds licensed S-band spectrum at 2.4 GHz with a rare FCC authorization for terrestrial use alongside its satellite operations. This dual-use right allows the firm to build private LTE or 5G networks on spectrum that normally requires orbital delivery. The terrestrial authorization covers most of the Western Hemisphere and underpins the firm's industrial IoT strategy and its Apple SOS partnership.
How is Globalstar involved with Apple's iPhone satellite features?
Globalstar provides the satellite capacity and ground-infrastructure support for Apple's Emergency SOS via satellite, launched with the iPhone 14 in 2022. Under the arrangement, Globalstar allocates a portion of its constellation's capacity for the service and is reimbursed for expenses plus potential service fees. The firm has also committed to deploying a next-generation constellation to support future Apple satellite messaging features.
Is Globalstar primarily a satellite company or a spectrum play?
Globalstar operates as both, but the spectrum asset increasingly drives the investment thesis. The LEO satellite network provides legacy wholesale connectivity and supports the Apple contract, while the FCC-authorized terrestrial spectrum opens a second, higher-margin business line in private wireless. The May 2024 subsidiary announcement suggests the firm may isolate the spectrum assets to attract dedicated investment or partnership capital.
How does Globalstar generate revenue?
Globalstar earns revenue from wholesale satellite airtime and capacity, including the Apple contract, as well as from sales of satellite phones, data modems, and SPOT consumer tracking devices. The terrestrial spectrum side is in an earlier deployment phase, with initial pilots focused on industrial private-network customers and a future royalty or service-provider model under exploration.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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