Apple Lends $250M to Globalstar, Why Doesn’t Apple Get Into Satellites?, EU Narrows Apple Probe (Daily Update)
Hello everyone. Today’s update kicks off with Neil’s thoughts on Apple lending $250M to Globalstar. The discussion then expands to talk about Apple getting into the satellite business itself. We conclude with a closer look at the EU narrowing its Apple probe to focus on anti-steering.
Let’s jump right into today’s update.
Apple Lends $250M to Globalstar
Over at SpaceNews, here’s Jason Rainbow:
“Globalstar said Feb. 28 that Apple is lending the company $252 million to help cover upfront costs for replenishing its low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation.
Apple is providing the funds as a prepayment for using the network to upgrade satellite services launched last year for its latest iPhone, which can connect with one of Globalstar’s existing 24 satellites in LEO for emergency services outside cellular coverage.
Globalstar picked MDA and Rocket Lab in February 2022 to supply an initial 17 satellites for launch by the end of 2025 in a contract worth $327 million. The contract includes an option for up to nine additional satellites at $11.4 million each.
The satellite operator intends to fund any upfront costs not covered by Apple’s prepayment with its own cash.
Apple has already agreed to reimburse Globalstar for 95% of the constellation; however, it previously required the satellite operator first to raise third-party financing to fund the manufacturing contract.
Removing the need to raise this financing amid challenging macroeconomic conditions clears a significant degree of uncertainty for Globalstar’s constellation plans.”
With interest rates continuing to rise and prospects of securing third-party financing getting dim, Globalstar was in trouble. Apple decided to jump in and loan Globalstar the required cash to keep moving forward (to construct and deploy satellites for Apple). The use of “decided” may be charitable as Apple probably didn’t have much choice other than to step in and bail Globalstar out. Without the loan, Globalstar may not have been able to launch the satellites that Apple needs.
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