Amazon is purchasing a Louisiana satellite communications company for nearly $12 billion. President and CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc, Michael Hecht, says it’s great news for Covington-based Globalstar.
“They have 400 employees in Louisiana. And now they’re getting purchased by Amazon to be part of Amazon’s low earth orbit satellite network, Amazon Leo,” Hecht said.
Globalstar is the primary satellite link for Apple’s iPhone emergency SOS features. In a news release, Amazon says it plans to use Globalstar’s network to enable smartphone users to connect directly to a network of thousands of satellites for voice and data service.
Hecht says Globalstar relocated to the Northshore from California in 2010, and they are now a Louisiana success story.
“It was never going to be easy as a start-up, but they pushed through; they innovated their way through. And if you talk to them, it’s because of the talent they were able to hire and retain in Louisiana,” Hecht said.
Hecht says news that Amazon has bought a satellite communications company based in St. Tammany Parish broadens Louisiana’s brand for those companies considering doing business in Louisiana.
“It begins to broaden our brand. And as people see us as not just a place with great food, music and culture, but also a place with great innovative companies,” Hecht noted.
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