Viasat has formed a joint venture with UAE-based AI-powered space-tech company Space42 to enable global direct-to-device (D2D) services and evolve existing and planned mobile satellite services (MSS) to a 5G network environment.

Called Equatys, the venture is expected to unite satellite and terrestrial networks leveraging a 3GPP non-terrestrial network (NTN) release compliant platform accessible to standard smartphones and IoT devices, extending service to billions of people and devices worldwide.

Anticipated to be capable of supporting well over 100MHz of harmonised MSS spectrum already allocated across more than 160 markets, the venture is expected to establish a foundation for reliable global communications with commercial rollout targeted within three years.

“Equatys will achieve what the satellite industry has pursued for decades: combining the scale of terrestrial networks with the efficiency of space,” said Karim Sabbagh, managing director of Space42. “The promise of universal connectivity is now becoming a reality. Backed by global spectrum, proven technology and strong partners, Equatys represents infrastructure built to power societies and transform economies worldwide.”

Mark Dankberg, CEO of Viasat, added: “Equatys will uniquely make possible a shared multi-orbit network of scale with standards-based open architecture to address the significant D2D and next-generation MSS market opportunity. By leveraging high performance transparent satellite architectures and shared infrastructure, the network will deliver cost efficient capacity and use 5G New Radio standards evolving the existing deployed MSS services including, for example, the safety of air, land and sea.”

Equatys will operate as a lean infrastructure provider using a shared multi-tenant model that reduces redundant investments while delivering cost-efficient capacity to ecosystem participants. This approach complements terrestrial networks and creates sustainable growth opportunities across the industry.

By offering a proposition through shared multi-orbit infrastructure, participants will benefit from scale advantages while reducing individual investment risk. The platform is designed to help operators grow profitably, allow governments to own and operate infrastructure to maintain national data sovereignty, and allow local space industries to participate in space and ground technology development and manufacturing.

The 5G open architecture platform will be developed in alignment with 3GPP framework. Equatys will operate and manage as a neutral space-tower company providing low-cost space and ground infrastructure that licensed operators can share, allowing multiple independent operators to use on a single global system the spectrum blocks that are currently used on separate satellite systems.

From an investment perspective, the venture is expected to benefit from agreements that make 5G New Radio-capable, capital-intensive space and ground infrastructure available at low cost to regional and global licensed operators around the world. The model is anticipated to offer financial investors infrastructure-grade returns with equity appreciation potential, while phased equity offerings will allow additional strategic and financial partners to participate as the system scales.

Equatys aims to provide nations with secure, standards-based infrastructure that works with their existing systems and offers sovereign deployment options. Space sustainability principles guide the design to reduce orbital footprint while increasing use of space resources.

This announcement follows the memorandum of understanding (www.space42.ai/en/press-release/2025/space42-and-viasat-announce-partnership) signed between Space42 and Viasat in March, advancing from technical and commercial studies into an agreement to form a jointly-owned infrastructure company, subject to customary conditions.

Space42 (www.space42.ai) is a UAE-based AI-powered space-tech company that integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics and AI capabilities. Formed in 2024 by the merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42’s global reach allows it to address the rapidly evolving needs of governments, enterprises and communities.

Viasat (www.viasat.com) is a communications company with offices in 24 countries. In 2023, Viasat acquired Inmarsat.