FCC Clears Globalstar's C-3 Satellite System

The US Federal Communications Commission has authorised Globalstar to operate its third-generation C-3 satellite system, which is designed to connect directly to smartphones. In a release on 19 October 2026, Globalstar said the FCC “issued an order granting Globalstar nationwide authority to operate” the system.

The approval matters beyond Globalstar. Amazon is in the process of acquiring the company, and plans to run the C-3 constellation alongside its own direct-to-device network, Via Satellite reported. That deal is still pending.

In brief

The FCC has granted Globalstar nationwide authority to operate its C-3 system, including direct-to-device connectivity to smartphones.
C-3 will comprise 48 low Earth orbit satellites at 1,414km with six in-orbit spares and about 90 ground station antennas; satellites are expected to launch from next year.
Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar is still pending; Amazon plans to operate C-3 and a new D2D constellation of up to 5,105 satellites, per Via Satellite.

What the FCC approved

With the authorisation, Globalstar says, C-3 satellites will be able to communicate with “hundreds of millions of mobile earth terminals located in the United States, including direct-to-device (‘D2D’) connectivity to smartphones.” The order also covers Globalstar’s ground station antennas in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.

According to the release, the system will comprise 48 low Earth orbit satellites at an altitude of 1414 kilometres, plus 6 in-orbit spares, supported by approximately 90 six-metre ground station antennas installed around the world. Globalstar says satellites are expected to launch beginning next year. MDA Space in Canada is building them.

“Receiving this FCC authorization is a critical step forward for continuing to enhance the capabilities of our low Earth orbit satellite constellations,” said Paul Jacobs, Globalstar’s chief executive. “This approval will ensure our ability to deliver next-generation satellite services that combine increased capacity, improved performance, and greater flexibility to users for years to come.”

Apple, Amazon and the D2D race

Globalstar filed for the constellation in February 2025 as a higher-power next-generation system “after Apple invested to fund the constellation”, Via Satellite reported. Globalstar’s network already supports satellite features on iPhones.

Via Satellite also reported that Amazon, which is acquiring Globalstar, “plans to operate both the C-3 constellation and a new Amazon D2D constellation of up to 5,105 satellites.” The acquisition has yet to close, and nothing in Globalstar’s release suggests the FCC order depends on it.

The C-3 system was notified to the ITU by France under the name AST-NG-C-3. It will be controlled from Globalstar’s operations centres in Toulouse and at its headquarters in Covington, Louisiana.

Our read

Direct-to-phone satellite service is becoming one of the most contested markets in space, with SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile signing operators worldwide and European telcos exploring their own spectrum. The FCC order clears a regulatory hurdle for the network Apple has bankrolled and Amazon wants to own. What it delivers now depends on launches from next year and on Amazon closing the deal.