SHARE NBN Co’s push to dominate regional connectivity has received a massive strategic boost following the overnight announcement that its satellite partner, Amazon, will acquire Globalstar in an $11.57 billion deal. The move significantly strengthens NBN Co’s future satellite capabilities, positioning the government-owned wholesaler for a direct “head-on battle” with Elon Musk’s Starlink for control of Australia’s remote broadband market. The acquisition allows the recently rebranded Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) to integrate Globalstar’s direct-to-device (D2D) technology and valuable mobile spectrum. For NBN Co, this means the potential to move beyond fixed-site broadband and offer seamless mobile satellite services in partnership with Australian carriers—a direct response to the growing dominance of Starlink in the bush. The Road to “City-Fast” Regional Internet NBN Co has already committed to replacing its aging Sky Muster geostationary satellites with Amazon’s low Earth orbit (LEO) technology. The Globalstar deal adds a new layer to this transition: Trials and Rollout: Proof-of-concept trials for the new “NBN Leo” service are scheduled to begin in Tasmania in July 2026, with a full commercial rollout expected by the end of the year. Performance Leap: The new network is tipped to deliver download speeds of up to 100 Mbps for residential users and 1 Gbps for enterprise customers, with latency dropping from over 600ms to under 50ms. Zero-Cost Migration: To compete with Starlink’s high upfront hardware costs, NBN Co has proposed providing and installing new Amazon Leo equipment at no cost to existing Sky Muster customers. The Apple and Carrier Connection The deal carries a complex web of industry alliances. Globalstar currently allocates 85% of its capacity to Apple for iPhone emergency services. Amazon has confirmed it will honor this agreement, ensuring that Apple’s $1.5 billion investment in the network continues to support Australian iPhone users. +2 In Australia, the acquisition is expected to help NBN Co cement partnerships with major carriers like Telstra and Optus, who currently offer Starlink as a satellite backup. By integrating Globalstar’s assets, Amazon Leo can provide these carriers with a high-capacity alternative for mobile roaming and “blackspot” coverage. Expanding into Aviation Beyond residential broadband, Amazon Leo is also targeting the high-end mobility market. The company recently launched a new satellite antenna for airlines capable of 1 Gbps download speeds. Delta Airlines has already signed a deal to roll out the service on 500 aircraft starting in 2028. This adds a lucrative secondary revenue stream to the network that NBN Co is now tethered to, ensuring long-term infrastructure stability. Competitive Landscape As of April 2026, Starlink remains the dominant player with over 9 million users globally and nearly 10,000 satellites in orbit. However, NBN Co’s aggressive pricing—proposing wholesale rates as low as $35.84 per month for 50/10 Mbps plans—signals a fierce price war designed to reclaim market share from the SpaceX-owned rival. +1 “We have long believed low Earth orbit satellite constellations offer the most effective path to truly connect users,” said Paul Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar. For NBN Co, that path now looks significantly clearer with Amazon’s multibillion-dollar expansion into the mobile satellite space. About Post Author