- Most of the focus on Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar centers on its satellite constellation, spectrum and relationship with Apple
- But Fierce wanted to know: What’s the acquisition mean for the future of Globalstar’s XCOM-branded terrestrial product?
- Analysts say it could help Amazon revitalize its private 5G offering. Or not
Amazon’s $11 billion purchase of Globalstar includes some assets that didn’t make it into too many headlines on Tuesday: the XCOM RAN private networking technology that Globalstar CEO Paul Jacobs brought to the company in 2023.
The press release Amazon put out about the acquisition mentions XCOM RAN a grand total of one time – and it’s in the “About Globalstar” boilerplate section at the bottom. Clearly, it’s a minor part of this transaction, which is mostly about giving Amazon Leo a sizable boost in the space race against Elon Musk’s SpaceX/Starlink and the direct-to-device (D2D) market.
On the ground, however, XCOM RAN is a big deal to Jacobs, who’s been touting XCOM RAN’s superior performance to Wi-Fi and its ability to deliver four times the capacity compared to other 5G systems. XCOM RAN is already being deployed at one of the world’s largest retailers (probably Walmart) and they’re working with Virewirx (formerly XCOM Labs) to provide XCOM RAN 5G for military applications.
Fierce wondered whether Amazon’s plan is to spin off the XCOM RAN business or to incorporate it into its own fold. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment, saying they’re in the very early stages of the process, which they expect to close in 2027. Until then, both companies operate as independent entities.
Globalstar didn’t respond to Fierce’s requests for comment on what the future holds for the XCOM RAN unit, either.
Earlier this month, Globalstar’s GM of Terrestrial Networks Tamer Kadous told Fierce that XCOM RAN now runs as a complete end-to-end solution, from the radio to the router. It’s unique, he said, because it can be paired with Globalstar’s licensed 2.4 GHz (n53 band) spectrum. (XCOM also works on CBRS 3.5 GHz (n48) in the U.S. and n78, used in Europe and elsewhere.)
Amazon warehouses and robotics
On social media, Disruptive Analysis founder Dean Bubley pointed out that one of the leading verticals that XCOM targets is warehouses and logistics. It just so happens, Amazon owns hundreds of fulfillment centers and distribution facilities around the world.
So, will it bring XCOM RAN to those facilities?
Zoran Kehler, business development lead for LatAm, Telecom at Amazon Leo, responded to Bubley’s post, suggesting they’re thinking about indoor opportunities with XCOM. “It’s now upon us at Leo to execute,” he wrote.
Beyond that, we’re just guessing. But Bubley said the main thing is the Globalstar deal gives Amazon a ready-made route into in-building coverage. “Presumably they could hook a small cell into an existing DAS, as it’s in the tuning range, I’d imagine,” he told Fierce.
Amazon’s private 5G ambitions
Amazon’s past behavior could provide some clues as to what it plans to do with Globalstar’s XCOM.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) at one point was stoked about providing private mobile networks, but last year it killed off the AWS Private 5G service that competed with mobile operators. It appears that it still offers the Integrated Private Wireless on AWS program where it works with mobile network operators like Deutsche Telekom and KDDI to offer private 5G.
XCOM could help AWS revitalize its private cellular offering, bringing compelling high-reliability capabilities to the table for industrial private cellular applications, said Leonard Lee, executive analyst at NeXt Curve.
Joe Madden, founder of Mobile Experts, said the XCOM RAN business has an interesting distributed MIMO approach that provides high capacity and high reliability for industrial private 5G.
That would be very useful in Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers. However, “it’s not clear whether Amazon will continue to pursue the private cellular market or not,” he said.
Private wireless market outlook
According to a new report by Dell’Oro Group, private wireless RAN revenue growth decelerated substantially in the second half of 2025. Initial estimates indicate that private wireless RAN revenue increased 16% in 2025, down nearly 2.5 times from the 2024 growth rate.
But Dell’Oro’s high-level message hasn’t changed: Private wireless is a massive opportunity, though it will take some time for enterprises to embrace private cellular technology. Private wireless RAN revenue is expected to grow at a 10% to 20% CAGR and account for 5% to 10% of total RAN revenue by 2030.
With forecasts like that, maybe it’s a business opportunity that Amazon will decide to pursue.