On Sept. 15, 2026, Space42 and Viasat formally established Equatys, a joint venture entity dedicated to deploying a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mega-constellation of up to 2,800 satellites.
Unveiled during an industry keynote at World Space Business Week in Paris, the two founding partners executed a binding agreement committing up to $1 billion (€0.87 billion) in initial combined equity capital. The venture is designed to deliver direct-to-device (D2D) Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) capabilities and advanced Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) across global markets.
Shared Infrastructure Architecture and Spectrum Assets
Equatys operates on a neutral-host model modeled after terrestrial mobile infrastructure tower companies. Under this framework, participating operators share space-segment hardware, ground gateway networks, and orbital transit capacity while retaining their independent spectrum licenses, commercial branding, and direct subscriber relationships.
- Planned Fleet Size: Up to 2,800 satellites deployed in Low Earth Orbit
- Target Services: Direct-to-Device (D2D) cellular connectivity and advanced 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network Mobile Satellite Services
- Equity Capitalization: Up to $1 billion (€0.87 billion) initial co-founder investment
- Spectrum Portfolio: Access to over 100 MHz of globally coordinated Mobile Satellite Services spectrum
- Carrier Reach: Combined distribution agreements spanning more than 400 mobile network operators worldwide, offering connectivity to unmodified standard smartphones
Market Rationale and Platform Integration
By adopting shared infrastructure principles, Equatys aims to reduce the capital intensity traditionally associated with deploying mega-constellations. The venture addresses the growing demand among mobile network operators for standardized non-terrestrial coverage, offering a common architecture that integrates satellite communications, geospatial intelligence, and platform-level artificial intelligence.
Combining Viasat’s global MSS spectrum holdings and satellite communication networks with Space42’s integrated defense, intelligence, and commercial space solutions provides the infrastructure baseline needed to scale D2D services globally. The shared infrastructure approach prevents network duplication while enabling mobile operators to extend cellular coverage to remote regions without investing in proprietary space hardware.
Executive Commentary
“With the signing of this agreement, Equatys takes off,” said Karim Michel Sabbagh, Managing Director at Space42. “For the first time, the satellite industry is building infrastructure the way the mobile industry thinks: shared, interoperable, standards-based, and designed for billions of devices rather than millions of subscribers. Space42 and Viasat have each brought what the other could not, and together we have assembled a differentiated capabilities system unique to the space industry.“
“We are creating a new infrastructure category for global D2D and advanced MSS connectivity, backed by unique spectrum assets, significant committed capital, and a business model proven to scale the mobile industry,” said Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO at Viasat. “Finalising the formation of Equatys reflects our collective confidence in the strategic value and long-term financial merits of this venture to support a rapidly growing non-terrestrial market for emerging D2D NTN and advanced Mobile Satellite Services.“
Capital Deployment and Operational Roadmap
Following the formal execution of the agreement, Space42 and Viasat will initiate initial capital deployments to fund platform system engineering, procurement frameworks, and space-ground interface standardization. The joint venture will begin onboarding additional commercial, institutional, and mobile network operator partners into the shared infrastructure framework over the coming months.
