Background: Amazon - the "everything store" turned cloud giant - is now the 5th largest public company in the US by market cap. And, like most Big Tech players, it's constantly looking for the next big frontier.  

What happened: Now, Amazon is making a major move into space. It has acquired satellite company Globalstar for $11.6 billion USD (a hefty 117% premium on its share price). But Globalstar isn't just any satellite company, it already powers emergency messaging on Apple devices, giving Amazon instant access to proven tech and major customers.  

What else: The goal is to supercharge Amazon's satellite internet ambitions (now dubbed as "Leo") and catch up to competitors like Elon Musk's Starlink. But the bigger play is actually direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity... meaning phones connecting straight to satellites - no towers required. Amazon is targeting a 2028 rollout, positioning itself for what could be the next big shift in global connectivity.

What's the key learning

💡 The biggest opportunities are usually hiding in markets that don't fully exist yet. Direct-to-device satellite connectivity is still early, but it has the potential to reshape how people stay connected, especially in remote areas, on flights, and in emergencies.

💡 Owning infrastructure accelerates growth. By acquiring satellites, capabilities, and existing customers (like Apple), Amazon is fast-tracking its position instead of building from scratch.

💡 Every new wave of connectivity disrupts the last. The National Broadband Network cost $57 billion to build and was quickly challenged by 5G... and now satellites could be the next evolution to disrupt both, with Amazon aiming for a big a slice.