Viasat and Space42 Create Equatys and Commit Up to $1 Billion for Direct‑to‑Device Service
The venture will operate a shared satellite‑plus‑ground network to cut deployment costs and let carriers deliver voice, text, data to standard phones and IoT devices where cellular service is limited.
Overview
- Viasat and UAE operator Space42 announced formation of Equatys, a jointly funded company to connect standard smartphones and IoT devices directly to satellites.
- The founders committed up to $1 billion in equity with each putting in an initial $400 million and Space42 reported it may add a further $200 million in a later funding round.
- Viasat is expected to serve as Equatys’ primary technology contractor and the partners said they have completed technical and commercial studies since first unveiling the plan.
- Equatys will run shared satellite and ground infrastructure that telecom carriers can use to offer voice, text and data in areas with limited or no cellular coverage.
- The companies said the platform will be funded with founders’ equity plus planned third‑party equity and debt, and Space42 told reporters it expects services to be available from 2029 as development and manufacturing advance.