Space42 and Viasat have signed a binding agreement to formally establish Equatys, a shared platform designed to provide space infrastructure for direct-to-device (D2D) and advanced mobile satellite services. The companies plan to commit up to US$1 billion in combined equity to the venture once it is formed.
The platform is intended to extend mobile coverage into areas where terrestrial networks cannot provide reliable service. Equatys will combine satellite and ground infrastructure into a shared system that can be used by multiple mobile and satellite operators, creating a model aimed at reducing duplicated infrastructure investment while improving network availability and spectrum efficiency.
Equatys Builds a Shared Space Infrastructure Model
The Equatys model is based on the shared infrastructure approach used by terrestrial tower companies. Instead of requiring each operator to develop its own satellite system, the platform is designed to provide a neutral layer of satellites and ground infrastructure that participating operators can access while retaining their own spectrum rights, customers and commercial relationships.
This approach could make space infrastructure more accessible to operators seeking to expand coverage without building a dedicated constellation. Equatys is also designed to support interoperability and spectrum aggregation, allowing additional satellite operators and licensees to participate as the platform grows. The initial architecture is planned as the first stage of a larger constellation that could eventually scale to 2,800 satellites across 60 orbital planes and three altitude layers.
Space42 and Viasat also bring a substantial existing commercial footprint to the venture. Together, the companies have relationships with more than 400 mobile operators worldwide and access to more than 100 MHz of globally coordinated mobile satellite spectrum for advanced MSS and D2D services.
Space Infrastructure Investment Supports D2D Connectivity
The agreement provides for each founding company to contribute an initial US$400 million, with a further US$200 million from Space42 linked to a future funding round open to third-party investors. This would bring total founder contributions to as much as US$1 billion.
The investment is intended to accelerate development of Equatys’ initial satellite constellation, with Viasat expected to become the venture’s prime technology contractor once the company is formed. The platform is being developed around 3GPP non-terrestrial network standards, which allow smartphones and connected devices to access satellite networks without specialised hardware.
For telecom operators, the development highlights how space infrastructure is becoming increasingly integrated with terrestrial mobile networks. Rather than operating as a separate connectivity layer, shared space infrastructure could give operators additional options for extending voice, text and data services into coverage gaps.
The formation of Equatys, however, is not yet complete. The venture, constellation procurement and related definitive agreements remain subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
As the D2D market develops, the Equatys model places shared space infrastructure at the centre of a potential expansion in satellite-enabled mobile connectivity. Further progress will depend on the venture completing its formation and moving from planned investment into constellation development.