UAE's Space42 signs $1B satellite deal with US firm Viasat

UAE space technology company Space42 and California-based Viasat have agreed to launch a satellite communications platform called Equatys, according to The National.

The two firms are committing $1 billion in equity to the venture.

What is Equatys and what does it do?

Equatys is a satellite communications platform built to connect smartphones and other devices directly to low-Earth orbit satellites. It is designed to let mobile network operators extend coverage into areas that currently have none.

The platform combines shared space and ground infrastructure between Space42 and Viasat.

When will Equatys services become available?

Space42 managing director Karim Sabbagh said in Paris that Equatys services are expected to launch in 2029. He said the platform is designed to complement existing ground networks rather than replace them. It is also built to fit the business model already used by mobile network operators.

"What you and I are used to in our daily life in terms of using our phones for voice communications or data communications, we should be able to have the same experience where terrestrial networks are not covering because they cannot physically or because they are congested," Sabbagh said.

How much is Space42 and Viasat investing in the deal?

Space42 and Viasat are committing $1 billion in equity to Equatys. Sabbagh said this commitment gives the venture a strong footing from day one. The investment reflects the scale of the joint infrastructure needed to link satellites directly with consumer devices.

How far along is development on the Equatys platform?

Work on the satellite internet technology began a year ago. Sabbagh said the project has since moved into a fast development and manufacturing phase. This shift signals the venture is progressing from planning toward active buildout ahead of its 2029 launch target.

What relationships will Equatys rely on to reach customers?

Sabbagh said the venture can draw on 400 existing relationships with mobile network operators worldwide. Space42 alone holds relationships in 160 countries, he added. He said these ties give the company the ability to hold direct conversations with operators around the world.

Sabbagh said Equatys can be integrated smoothly into the services these operators already provide. This approach is meant to let mobile carriers add satellite coverage without overhauling their existing networks.