Globalstar asked the Federal Communications Commission on Nov. 3, 2026 to examine how its supplier relationship with Rocket Lab could be affected if Rocket Lab acquires competitor Iridium, and urged regulators to scrutinize incentives created by that relationship for potential competitive harm.
In an FCC filing submitted as part of the agency’s review of Rocket Lab’s planned purchase of Iridium, Globalstar detailed what it described as repeated attempts by Iridium to “capture” licensed mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum through regulatory filings. Globalstar said Rocket Lab is currently a supplier to Globalstar, having built satellite buses as a subcontractor to MDA Space for Globalstar’s satellite network refresh, and supplying Globalstar’s flight and ground software and the company’s satellite operations control center.
Globalstar argued those supplier ties create a potential conflict if Rocket Lab becomes the parent of a direct competitor. “These arrangements will provide Rocket Lab with ongoing influence over the timing and performance of a future rival’s constellation and access to that rival’s spacecraft architecture, engineering requirements, operations workflows, and delivery schedules,” Globalstar said in the filing. The company added that Rocket Lab’s current commercial incentives align with Globalstar’s success, but after acquiring Iridium, Rocket Lab would have both “the incentive and the means to advantage Iridium at a competitor’s expense.”
Globalstar noted that both it and Iridium hold exclusive operating rights in a portion of MSS spectrum known as the “Big LEO” band; the FCC affirmed those rights earlier in the year when it rejected a request from Iridium to revise the band. Globalstar said it does not oppose the acquisition itself but asked the FCC to examine Iridium’s prior regulatory conduct and to scrutinize “transaction-specific incentives” created by Rocket Lab’s supplier role.
Rocket Lab, in a separate filing posted Nov. 2 and referenced by news coverage, responded to competitive concerns by saying the acquisition will not harm competition or the public interest. Rocket Lab argued that because it holds no MSS spectrum and has no near-term ability to enter the Big LEO MSS market, the transaction will not increase concentration or reduce competition.
The filings come as Globalstar is set to be acquired by Amazon; the FCC approved the Amazon/Globalstar transaction the week before Globalstar’s Nov. 3 submission. Amazon has said it intends to operate Globalstar as a subsidiary while retaining Globalstar’s corporate identity. After the two transactions close, Rocket Lab/Iridium and Amazon/Globalstar are expected to compete in MSS services and the direct-to-device (D2D) market.
NovΔ mAInd’s launch database: Rocket Lab — 24 launches tracked, 100% success rate, most recent 2026-11-02, 300 kg to LEO.
