Amazon-Globalstar Deal Poised to Boost Apple’s Satellite Effort

Amazon.com Inc.’s takeover of Globalstar Inc. is poised to benefit one of the company’s biggest rivals in hardware devices: Apple Inc.

The $11.6 billion deal, announced Tuesday, will provide Amazon with a network of satellites — jump-starting a push to offer internet service directly to devices. The online retailer also pledged to start supporting Apple’s emergency messaging service with its Leo satellite system, filling a role currently held by Globalstar.

If the deal goes through as planned, Apple will get a deep-pocketed and ambitious partner in satellite communications. That should help the iPhone maker expand its offerings in ...