Starlink’s Q3 results: big growth, bigger ambitions in mobile

SpaceX’s Q2 results highlight Starlink’s expanding role, with connectivity revenue up 66% year on year to $4.3 billion. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab’s proposed acquisition of Iridium underscores a broader shift towards vertical integration as satellite players seek greater control over spacecraft, launch, constellation operations and connectivity economics. Sovereignty is also emerging as a critical differentiator and reshaping the competitive landscape, making spectrum access, regulatory alignment, local infrastructure and operator integration increasingly important alongside scale, coverage and cost.

Amazon has agreed to acquire Globalstar in a deal valued at approximately $11.6 billion. It has indicated that it expects the deal to close in 2027, subject to regulatory clearance. This would pave the way for Amazon’s own direct-to-device satellite service launching in 2028. The deal will firmly place Amazon as the main competitor of Starlink in the burgeoning D2D space. But it also has ramifications for other satellite companies and telecoms operators.

With a 33% rise in international visitors this year, MWC Shanghai speaks to China’s influence and gravitational pull on the regional Asian tech economy and reciprocal demand from buyers to see and be seen on the MWC stage in an already busy event calendar. The analysis here highlights the key takeaways and implications from the meetings, summits and announcements at the event.