Paul Jacobs, best known for his former leadership role at Qualcomm and as the son of co-founder Irwin Jacobs, has been named CEO of satellite operator Globalstar.
“I have devoted my career to advancing and commercializing innovation in wireless technology and am thrilled to continue this journey as CEO of Globalstar,” Jacobs said, emphasizing his commitment to applying new technologies to increase capacity and value in underutilized spectrum.
Jacobs takes the helm at a critical moment for Globalstar. The company’s satellites currently support the emergency calling capabilities on Apple’s latest iPhone model, and that partnership is expected to expand as Apple prepares to announce its next iPhone on September 12.
Globalstar’s business, however, extends well beyond its work with Apple. The company provides messaging services through Spot devices, offers Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and plans to launch a two-way platform for its IoT division. Globalstar also holds Band 53 spectrum, which could open opportunities in private wireless networking and other terrestrial communications markets.
Jay Monroe, Globalstar’s chairman since 2004, said Jacobs will guide the company’s strategic focus toward these growth areas. Monroe, who leads the private equity group that acquired Globalstar after its bankruptcy, described Jacobs as “a technology pioneer and proven leader who is well suited to drive Globalstar’s next phase of growth across our satellite and terrestrial assets and cement our position as a market disruptor.”
Jacobs’ tenure at Qualcomm began with his appointment as CEO in 2005, a role he held until 2014, followed by service as executive chairman through 2018. After leaving Qualcomm’s board, he led an effort to take the company private and later co-founded XCOM Labs with several former Qualcomm executives.
In 2021, Globalstar and XCOM Labs formed a strategic partnership that combined XCOM’s capacity-multiplying technology with Globalstar’s Band 53 spectrum. That collaboration aimed to optimize Band 53 for a range of wireless environments and use cases.
Jacobs noted the complementary strengths of the two companies: “Bringing together Globalstar’s terrestrial spectrum and relationships with leading partners around the world with XCOM’s differentiated technology, which is well suited for high-performance applications, creates a significant opportunity to deliver for private network customers with mission-critical needs. At the same time, Globalstar’s continued innovations in satellite connectivity are just as exciting, particularly in small form-factor devices. Through the combination of Globalstar’s resources and XCOM’s technology, we can bring even more innovation to market.”
The satellite communications sector is intensely competitive. Providers such as Iridium, SpaceX, and Viasat are all pursuing phone-to-satellite services, while private wireless networking attracts competitors including Dish and Ligado. Despite these headwinds, Monroe said during a recent conference call that the company remains optimistic about its trajectory under Jacobs’ leadership and is focused on driving revenue growth, improving EBITDA, and increasing shareholder value.
With industry dynamics evolving rapidly, Jacobs brings extensive experience in wireless technology, business strategy, and commercialization. His leadership is expected to steer Globalstar as it pursues advances in satellite-based connectivity, expands terrestrial offerings using Band 53, and targets enterprise customers with mission-critical private wireless solutions.
(Image Credit: XPRIZE Foundation under CC BY 2.0 license)
See also: UK announces fund to revolutionise connectivity with satellites
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