Apple to Invest up to $1.5 Bln in Globalstar for Satellite Coverage Expansion

 30 October 2024, US, New York: The Apple store is pictured on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. (dpa)
30 October 2024, US, New York: The Apple store is pictured on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. (dpa)
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Apple to Invest up to $1.5 Bln in Globalstar for Satellite Coverage Expansion

 30 October 2024, US, New York: The Apple store is pictured on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. (dpa)
30 October 2024, US, New York: The Apple store is pictured on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. (dpa)

Apple will invest up to $1.5 billion in Globalstar to fund the expansion of its iPhone communication services, the satellite provider said in a regulatory filing on Friday.

Shares of Globalstar jumped over 30%, while Apple was down around 1.4% a day after it forecast tepid quarterly revenue growth.

Under the funding agreement, Apple will commit $1.1 billion in cash and also purchase 20% equity in Globalstar for $400 million. The satellite company said it will use a portion of the funds to pay down debt.

The move is another in a line of partnerships between space firms and mobile service providers looking to provide satellite-based connectivity to customers in regions with limited network access.

Globalstar also said it will allocate 85% of its network capacity to Apple. The deal is expected to close on Tuesday.

The iPhone maker partnered with Globalstar in 2022 for a feature that would allow Apple users to send emergency messages from remote areas.



China Welcomes Apple's Continued, Deeper Presence

Shen Xinyi (C), a student at Zhejiang University, introduces a "science and technology backyard" to Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) and chief operating officer Jeff Williams (R), at an organic farm in Shunyi District, Beijing, China, 22 October 2024 (issued 24 October 2024).  EPA/XINHUA / Cai Yang
Shen Xinyi (C), a student at Zhejiang University, introduces a "science and technology backyard" to Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) and chief operating officer Jeff Williams (R), at an organic farm in Shunyi District, Beijing, China, 22 October 2024 (issued 24 October 2024). EPA/XINHUA / Cai Yang
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China Welcomes Apple's Continued, Deeper Presence

Shen Xinyi (C), a student at Zhejiang University, introduces a "science and technology backyard" to Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) and chief operating officer Jeff Williams (R), at an organic farm in Shunyi District, Beijing, China, 22 October 2024 (issued 24 October 2024).  EPA/XINHUA / Cai Yang
Shen Xinyi (C), a student at Zhejiang University, introduces a "science and technology backyard" to Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) and chief operating officer Jeff Williams (R), at an organic farm in Shunyi District, Beijing, China, 22 October 2024 (issued 24 October 2024). EPA/XINHUA / Cai Yang

US tech giant Apple Inc is welcome to continue deepening its presence in the Chinese market, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao told its Chief Executive Tim Cook during a meeting on Friday, the ministry said in a statement.
The remark mirrored the exchanges between China's Minister for Industry and Information Technology and Cook during a meeting earlier this week in Beijing.
China is willing to help return Sino-US economic and trade ties to a healthy and stable track of development through regular exchanges between government and enterprises, Wang added.
China will further optimize the business environment and continue to provide quality services for foreign enterprises, Wang said, but also told Cook that the highlighting of national security "is not conducive to normal economic and trade exchanges.”