Overview
Globalstar, headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, operates 24 second-generation LEO satellites at 1,414 km altitude. Once a struggling mobile satellite operator, Globalstar was transformed by its Apple partnership — powering Emergency SOS via Satellite on every iPhone since iPhone 14 (2022). This made Globalstar's infrastructure integral to over 2 billion active Apple devices. Globalstar ranks tenth by fleet size.
Apple Emergency SOS Partnership
Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite allows iPhones to send emergency messages when there's no cellular coverage — using Globalstar's satellite network exclusively. Apple invested $450 million in infrastructure upgrades, and in 2024 committed ~$1.5 billion more for a next-generation constellation. Competitor Iridium has partnered with Qualcomm for similar Android direct-to-device capabilities. Starlink is also developing Direct-to-Cell technology.
Satellite Fleet
Globalstar's 24 second-gen satellites launched 2010–2013 on Soyuz rockets. They orbit in 8 planes at 52° inclination, covering ~70°N to ~70°S (excluding poles, unlike Iridium). Each satellite weighs ~700 kg with a 15-year design life. Apple is funding a next-gen constellation manufactured with Rocket Lab's spacecraft division, to be launched on Falcon 9.
Legacy Services & IoT
Beyond Apple, Globalstar offers SPOT personal safety devices, satellite phones, and IoT/M2M connectivity. SPOT devices provide emergency beacons for hikers, mariners, and remote workers. However, the Apple partnership now dominates revenue and strategic value. Globalstar competes with Iridium in mobile satellite services, though Iridium offers broader services while Globalstar has exclusive iPhone integration.