Amazon gets approval to buy the company behind iPhone satellite SOS

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Amazon Leo's $11.5 billion purchase of Globalstar. You may never have heard of Globalstar, but you may have used it. The company provides the emergency satellite connection on compatible iPhones and Apple Watches.

What changed

As part of the deal, Leo will power satellite services for supported iPhone and Apple Watch models. Apple also held a 20 percent stake in Globalstar before the takeover. Leo is Amazon's satellite internet network and a rival to SpaceX's Starlink.

The deal is meant to expand Leo's reach in space and let it offer direct-to-device service. That means satellites that connect straight to phones. The FCC said the deal is likely to benefit the public by improving data coverage in underserved areas.

Where Leo stands

• Leo says it has 400 satellites in orbit.
• It launched satellite internet service in Uzbekistan last month.
• It is teaming up with Delta to eventually bring satellite internet to flights.
• It aims to have more than 3,000 satellites, still short of SpaceX's 11,000.

What is not known yet

The material does not say when the purchase will be completed. It also does not say whether anything will change for iPhone and Apple Watch owners, such as how the emergency feature works or what it costs. For now, the approval only clears the way for Amazon to take over.