Abu Dhabi-based space technology champion Space42 has announced a landmark joint venture with Viasat, a global leader in satellite communications, to create a new entity named Equatys. The venture is set to revolutionize global connectivity by providing direct-to-device (D2D) services and upgrading mobile satellite services (MSS) to a 5G standard, aiming to connect standard smartphones and IoT devices anywhere on Earth.
The Equatys Vision Combining Space and Terrestrial Networks
Equatys will build and operate a next-generation network by combining satellite and terrestrial infrastructure on a 3GPP non-terrestrial platform. This hybrid approach is designed to extend mobile coverage ubiquitously, reaching areas currently unserved or underserved by traditional networks. The joint venture is targeting a commercial rollout within the next three years, leveraging over 100 MHz of MSS spectrum allocated across more than 160 markets.
A New ‘Space Tower’ Infrastructure Model
The venture will operate under a unique business model as a neutral ‘space tower’ company. By adopting a shared, multi-tenant infrastructure, Equatys aims to significantly reduce costs for mobile network operators and complement their existing terrestrial networks rather than compete with them. This collaborative model is poised to accelerate the adoption of satellite-based 5G services globally. Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat, highlighted that the network will “deliver cost-efficient capacity and use 5G New Radio standards.”
Global Reach and Sovereign Control
In a joint statement, Karim Sabbagh, Managing Director of Space42, and Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Space Services at Space42, emphasized the venture’s transformative potential. “Equatys will achieve what the satellite industry has pursued for decades: combining the scale of terrestrial networks with the efficiency of space,” they said. A key feature of the Equatys design is its ability to allow individual governments to maintain data sovereignty, a critical consideration for national security and regulatory compliance, while also fostering participation from local space industries.
About Space42
Space42 is a global space technology champion based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Formed through the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, the company provides a wide range of solutions, including AI-powered geospatial intelligence and satellite communications. Space42 is committed to driving innovation and developing a robust space ecosystem to deliver transformative technologies for both government and commercial clients worldwide.
Source: Zawya
