Following the combination of Bayanat and Yahsat to form UAE-based AI-powered space technology firm Space42, the company’s direct-to-device (D2D) joint venture, Equatys, is advancing into its initial constellation procurement phase.
Developed in partnership with satellite communications operator Viasat, the project seeks to deploy a neutral-host low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation operating across harmonized L-band and S-band Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum.
The venture represents a core component of Space42’s international growth strategy, aiming to provide global 3GPP-standard connectivity directly to unmodified smartphones, cellular IoT devices, and automotive telematics platforms.
Shared Infrastructure Model and Spectrum Portfolio
First introduced in September 2025, Equatys was established as an independent, neutral-host platform operating under a space-based tower company (“Space TowerCo”) architecture. The operational model enables regional mobile network operators (MNOs) and government end-users to lease non-terrestrial network (NTN) capacity without building separate, single-operator satellite fleets.
Equatys aggregates more than 100 MHz of combined L-band and S-band spectrum assets contributed by Space42 and Viasat across 160 international markets. By aligning satellite radio frequency links with 3GPP Release 17 and Release 18 specifications, the network allows terrestrial MNOs to deliver supplementary messaging, voice, and narrowband data coverage in off-grid regions while maintaining domestic data sovereignty.
Constellation Architecture and Hardware Procurement
As reported in March 2026, the planned Equatys orbital architecture comprises up to 2,800 satellites distributed across 60 orbital planes in three distinct altitude layers. Space42 allocated $600 million in initial capital expenditure to seed the constellation build-out across the 2026–2027 manufacturing timeline.
Rocket Lab has emerged as a primary candidate for the satellite bus manufacturing contract, supported by its expanded spacecraft assembly facilities and vertical integration capabilities. Final vendor selections for transparent payloads, phased array antennas, and ground station infrastructure are currently being finalized by the joint venture’s executive committee.
“In terms of Equatys, our intent with the next major announcement would be the funding of the initial satellite constellation,” stated Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat. “That’s really the catalyst for the next round of disclosures, [and] how much new capacity will come online… What we’re focused on is the details of a satellite constellation procurement for Equatys and then what that means for each of the users of the Equatys constellation, with us and Space42 being the two largest and initial users of it. In terms of the amount of increase in capacity, boy, that’s going to be orders of magnitude.”
Wholesale Network Deployment and Operational Timeline
Space42 and Viasat plan to operate as the primary initial anchor tenants on the Equatys network while marketing wholesale capacity to third-party MNOs globally. By separating hardware ownership from service delivery, the Space TowerCo model reduces capital requirements for regional telecom operators entering the satellite D2D market.
Initial satellite launches for the Equatys constellation are expected to begin following the execution of prime hardware manufacturing contracts, establishing a phased deployment schedule to bring commercial 3GPP-aligned D2D services online before the end of the decade.
