Here’s what happened:
GCT Semiconductor makes chips for satellite communications. In March 2025, they announced a partnership with Globalstar (a satellite company) to provide 5G and 4G chips for Globalstar’s devices.
Then in January 2026, GCT signed a secret deal. They announced they’d licensed their 5G chips to “one of the world’s largest satellite communications providers” – but they never said who. They kept it completely unnamed.
A few months later in April 2026, Amazon announced they were buying Globalstar for $11.6 billion. This was huge because Globalstar gives Amazon access to satellite spectrum and infrastructure they need for their new Amazon Leo service.
Why it’s probably Amazon:
The timeline makes sense. GCT already worked with Globalstar. When Amazon started planning to buy Globalstar, they likely wanted to make sure they had the right chips locked in. So GCT probably signed that “unnamed” deal with Amazon in January – before or while Amazon was negotiating to buy Globalstar.
Amazon Leo is trying to compete with Starlink, and owning Globalstar gives them a big head start. The GCT chips are perfect for powering satellite devices.
That being said..
…There is only so many that can claim the title ’One of world’s largest satellite communications providers’ and Amazon fits perfectly
Any thoughts?