FCC Chair Brendan Carr Gives Nod To Amazon-Globalstar Deal As Satellite Internet Race With Elon Musk-Led SpaceX Intensifies: 'We're Very Open-Minded…'

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr approved Amazon.com Inc.‘s (NASDAQ:AMZN) acquisition of Globalstar Inc. (NASDAQ:GSAT) on Tuesday, signalling the importance of competition in the space-based internet sector.

‘We’re Very Open-Minded,’ Says FCC Chair

In an interview with CNBC, Carr shared that the FCC wanted to foster growth in the sector. “We’re very open-minded to it,” Carr said, adding that the FCC would be reviewing the paperwork involved in the deal. Carr said that the deal was consistent with the “long-term vision” of having the U.S. lead in the satellite internet space.

When asked how the deal could affect the likes of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) and more, Carr said that the technology, in its current iteration, was a “complement” to traditional network operators. “From my perspective, it’s all about the consumer and the consumer here is a big, big winner” due to the “competitive pressure” in the connectivity sector.

“We think that a healthy, three-player direct-to-cell market can be really good for the country and our leadership,” Carr ...

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